It was an effort to make something positive out of a tragedy.

Friday afternoon, a sign that said “Free Stuff” outside 409 Mich. – the home where the body of a Kansas University law student was found weeks ago – offered passersby a chance to take items they could use, like tools, screws, a lamp shade and light bulbs.

It is the former home of Adolfo Garcia-Nunez, a former Lawrence artist, who police said killed his ex-girlfriend, 25-year-old Jana Mackey, in the home and drove across the country to New Jersey, where he hanged himself in a jail cell July 5 after his arrest.

One neighbor who had taken light bulbs and Christmas lights earlier said he was friends with both Garcia-Nunez and Mackey. Greg Likes wanted to give the items to people who could use them.

“I know some people that need light bulbs, and I know some homeless people,” he said.

A man who did not give his name to the Journal-World said he was trying to give away what he could from the house instead of throwing it away. He also said he wanted to sell bigger items in the house and any money would benefit the two teenage children of Garcia-Nunez.

The man also said he had felt obligated to tell people who were looking through the three tables of items about what had happened in the house weeks earlier.

Around 3 p.m. Friday, the man removed the sign and items that were on the tables. He said the property owner did not want more attention drawn to the house.

The man also said he intended to raise funds for Garcia-Nunez’s children, but he was not specific.