Crime & Safety

Cracker Barrel Shooting Victim Kayla Allen has Died

10-year-old loses month-long battle for her life

The only survivor of the April 12 Cracker Barrel shootings has died.

Kayla Allen, 10, had been moved to a hospice a few days ago.

"Kayla, in a perfect body, with no pain or sadness, is in heaven with her mother, sister and our Lord Jesus Christ. Her suffering is over. She is in an eternal paradise," a family friend posted on her Facebook page.

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Her mother, Kate, and sister, Kerri, who had just turned 10, were both killed in the shootings. Police say  on his wife and daughters after Kate told him she was leaving him.

Kayla seemed to be on the road to recovering, with , when she suffered a brain aneurysm, the Facebook page said.

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"Happy she is with her family in heaven," one Facebook follower wrote.

"Rest in peace, little angel," said another.

Kate's brother, Carl, and his wife, Michelle, had been caring for Kayla.

The family released this statement:

"The family of Kayla Allen is appreciative and grateful for the support and prayers of so many during this journey. Kayla has died peacefully at home. She has been surrounded by family and friends for the past few days, comfortable and serene. This time has been most meaningful to us as we held her and loved her, prayed for her and said our goodbyes.

We have been heartened by the hopes and outpouring of concern of friends as well as strangers and this has given us comfort during a most difficult time."

Information about a public memorial service will be forthcoming, said the statement, which was delivered by Hospice of the Western Reserve.

The hospice said the family wanted Kayla to receive hospice care at home.

"The Hospice of the Western Reserve Pediatric Team was able to fulfill this desire," the hospice posted on Twitter. "Kayla Allen died at 3:40 p.m. today in the arms of her aunt and was surrounded by friends and family."


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