A family struck with unthinkable tragedy

Some of you know, most of you don’t, on January 6, 2022 my best childhood friend, Brandon “bam” Murrell, was fatally shot twice at point blank range in front of his then pregnant wife and 18 month old baby. He was simply trying to do the right thing and found himself in the wrong place wrong time. Kayla, the widow, suddenly found herself in an unthinkably tragic and perilous situation watching her husband literally die in the street as she tried to apply pressure to his wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. With no family to call on and no support, I’ve been doing everything I can to help financially for the last 18 months. Recently, I’ve started working with a lawyer to find pathways through advocacy groups for a more sustainable and stable future for both Kayla and her two children, Divinity and Brandon (Bam), jr. However, working with advocacy groups takes time and effort. Unable to work and unable to afford child care coupled with losing her husband, birthing a child, and then having two children to support, the toll it has placed on Kayla is unimaginable. According to a MIT study the cost of living in Knoxville for a single parent with two kids is $80k annually. Her social security doesn’t cover her rent. Her EBT/WIC doesn’t cover her groceries. She has lived in constant emotional and financial turmoil since this inconceivable tragedy. Anything you can contribute will go further than you can imagine. I ask you to simply employ any empathy you can for Kayla and her two children during this dire time as we continue to try and reach a sustainable future for this wonderful, kind, and loving family. With the utmost earnestness, thank you for your gracious contribution. All contributions will go directly to her and her children. If you’re unable to contribute financially, please share this post if you’re willing.