Before the discussion, in memory of Astley, friends and family tied scores of coral-pink ribbons to the fence in the front of the church in the town center.
Those attending the discussion, “Preventing Dating Abuse and Promoting Healthy Relationships: A Whole Community Approach to Supporting Youth,’’ said they wished they had known how to recognize signs of a failed teen relationship.
“It’s still raw,’’ said Ann Muschett. “A lot of the people in the community feel guilty because they didn’t see signs or stop it. We all feel very connected to what happened this summer. These were ordinary children.’’
Nathaniel Fujita is accused of strangling and stabbing Astley, his ex-girlfriend, and dumping her body in a marsh off Route 27. Both were 18 at the time.
Prior to the killing, friends at Wayland High School said the couple, who had recently broken up after dating for three years, had always seemed happy and close. Fujita was a successful athlete, while Astley was an accomplished singer.
Fujita now faces charges of first-degree murder, two counts of assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and one count of assault and battery.
In August, Fujita was indicted by a Middlesex grand jury. Last week, a judge set his trial for October 2012. Fujita is being held in a Middlesex County sheriff’s facility in Cambridge, a spokesman said.
Last night’s forum panel included Emily Rothman, Boston University public health professor; Casey Corcoran, director of the Start Strong dating violence prevention initiative at the Boston Public Health Commission; and Joanne Patterson of REACH Beyond Domestic Violence, a Waltham nonprofit.
One in 10 high school students, especially in 9th and 10th grade, experience teen dating-related violence, said Rothman. She said children from violent homes as well as youths who experiment with drugs and alcohol are more likely to participate in dating violence. But those traits do not necessarily lead to violence, she said.
“This puts teen dating violence really on par with the other adolescent health issues we consider important, like smoking,’’ she said.
