Friends and family of a teenager murdered in Forsyth County nearly three years ago are honoring her memory and her love of animals with a Humane Society award.

Mariel Hannah of Roswell was 18 when she was shot during a March 19, 2006, rampage that claimed four lives at a Forsyth County farmhouse.

Hannah, a freshman at Devry University who considered becoming a veterinarian technician, died after spending nearly a week on life support.

She was remembered as a lifelong pet lover who had a special place in her heart for homeless animals, according to the Human Society of Atlanta, which is administering the Mariel Hannah Humane Heroes Award.

The award, which includes a plaque and a $500 cash prize, goes to a Georgia teenager who best exemplifies selfless and exemplary acts on the behalf of animals, said Atlanta Humane Society spokeswoman Kari Bogison.

“She was really an animal lover and her friends and family started this fund to remember her,” Bogison said.

Efforts to reach Hannah’s survivors were not successful Tuesday.

A Web site created in her memory portrays a young lady with a creative flair who enjoyed art and poetry.

Three suspects remain jailed and await trial in the deaths of Hannah, 15-year-old Billy Osment, 16-year-old Kyle Jones and 55-year-old Lynn Bartlett.

Those interested in submitting for or nominating someone for the award are asked to write a letter of nomination that is 200 words or less to the Atlanta Humane Society at 981 Howell Mill Road, N.W., Atlanta, GA 30318.

Nominations are open to any Georgia resident between the ages of 13 and 18. The deadline for submissions is March 31.

A volunteer committee will select the winner. The recipient will be announced in May at the start of “Be Kind to Animals Week.”