Please help Landen with costs from Gannons murder

Hello everyone. My name is Jane Cadenas, a friend to Landen Hiott and local community member in Lorson Ranch.

Today it is fair to say that most people know the name Gannon Stauch. Those that do not know, Gannon was murdered by his Step-Mother (I will not give the attention to her and I refuse to acknowledge her name)

Initially on January 27th 2020 Gannon was reported missing in the suburbs of Colorado Springs by his murderer and our community banded together immediately putting together search parties and exhausting all efforts to help find this precious boy. At this time he was living in Colorado Springs with his dad and stepmom during shared custody time.

Landen lived/lives in South Carolina. Landen dropped everything and rushed to Colorado to find her son. 3 years later she is now coping with His murder. His horribly unjustifiable death.

Tomorrow, Landen now will hear the closing arguments from prosecution and defense in the trial against her son’s murderer. After, we await the verdict and sentencing.

For the last 5 weeks Landen has been in Colorado solely for this trial. This does not include the dozens of visits to search for him to after the point Gannon’s body was found and the start of this case within the courts since 2020. Countless flights; car rentals; hotel stays all the while having to leave her youngest daughter back home in SC to prevent further disruption in her youngest’s life and missed time at work as a single mother to both Laina and Novah.

This isn’t just an emotionally, mentally and physically taxing and draining process on Landen but this is financially gutting process to her for a tragedy nobody let alone a parent could imagine.

For the last 5 weeks I have watched the strongest woman/mother I know hold her head high for the public. Thanking them for their support and love for her son and I have watched her struggle with fear of making ends meet and the agony over not being home with Novah and Laina together. Not because she isn’t capable or willing. But because she is here as a mom mourning her son during his murder trial.

For the last 5 weeks I have held her as she crumbles in the halls at the courthouse hearing the horrific things that happened to her son in a room full of people she has to stay composed in front of. For 5 weeks I have watched fear of the unknown overcome her while this process nears the end.

For the last 3 years I have watched her work herself to the ground and not ask for help simply because she is a mom who will find means to an end. Instead she is ALWAYS the first one to offer a helping hand.

From traveling back and forth from SC to Colorado. She has spent thousands and thousands of dollars over 3 years. For the trial alone she has absorbed the costs of deducted pay due to not being able to be at work. Travel costs (flights, car rental, Airbnb, gas, food, essentials) it all adds up so fast especially in city where our cost of living is so high.

Victims compensation application is from 1 year after the crime occurred. We are now 2 years out of that window 3 years since Gannons murder. So now as the trial nears an end I really would like to see her not have to worry about this tremendous financial burden. So many people reach out daily and ask how they can help. Finally, I am asking for help for her.

I would love to see her spend a week or so here to embrace the beauty and peace of Colorado Springs that does not surround searching for her son, going to the police station, dealing with lawyers, sitting in court or having to see her son’s murderer every day. Post trial/verdict/sentencing I would love to see her relax, rest her heart and mind and spend much needed quality time with her oldest daughter as they start their healing process without the financial burden she is already facing. This is to help her recoup costs solely due to the murder of her son and the travel/financial burdens that have fallen on her from living in a different state.

Soon she will have her 2 beautiful girls with her and her world will be full; but not complete because her precious Gannon won’t be coming home. This is how we can help. Please help me help her by closing this chapter and allowing her to go back home to SC with her girls; refreshed, renewed and free of the financial constraints thrown on her from such a tragic event.

Landen is the kindest soul I know. She is an incredible mother. She is that person that finds light in the darkness. She is one who maintains faith when all others lose it, but most importantly Landen is the one who would see a stranger on the street, smile and give them time and conversation. One that sees value and appreciation for all people, even strangers. One that would go without before seeing someone even a stranger go without. This is not a handout for her. Rather it is ensuring that Landen; and Gannons sisters can take a breath of fresh air after holding their breathe for 3 years.

From the bottom of my heart thank you - your love and support for Gannon and towards Landen is some of the reason why she can stay so optimistic.

Warmly,

Jane