Support for Judy Garvey and Her Family After Tragedy

On Monday, I lost my beloved son, Scott Garvey, in a tragic and senseless incident just days after we moved to Vermont in search of better mental health care.

Scott had struggled with mental health challenges--and more recently, mobility issues--for much of his life, but he was full of life, creativity, generosity, and compassion. Despite reaching out to local crisis teams for help, Scott was shot and killed by a Vermont State Trooper. He was unarmed, and never owned a gun of any type, which I told the police throughout the day of his death. The Vermont coroner has ruled his death a homicide. And now I and my family are left devastated, trying to make sense of this unimaginable loss.

For the past 25 years, Scott and I explored the world together on very limited means. He and I found joy in small bookstores, independent music venues, and in helping the homeless and mentally ill. Even with our meager resources, we spent our days buying clean socks, gloves and sleeping bags for the homeless. For more than two decades, most of his monthly disability check went to helping others, at great personal sacrifice. Scott loved to share kindness wherever he went, and he was an exceptionally talented musician, a poet and writer, and a friend to anyone in need.

Now, I am facing an uncertain future. I am left with significant expenses for Scott’s cremation and burial, and I must also address the overwhelming task of cleaning our home after the tragedy. In their wake, the Vermont State Police left our apartment with blood, biological waste, and gunshot damage that must be addressed immediately. Even his blood-soaked Red Sox hat, which he wore everywhere, was left as garbage for us to handle.

It is humbling, very humbling, to say this, but I need your help. I not only have to cover Scott's unexpected cremation, funeral and cleanup costs, but I also need help with travel expenses for Scott’s loving young nieces and nephews, who dropped everything to be by my side during this difficult time. Then I have to find a new place to live.

Any contribution will help ease this burden and allow me to focus on healing, honoring Scott’s memory and figuring how to live the small remainder of my life.

As Scott would have wanted it, any additional contributions will be used to help protect the rights of those suffering from mental health challenges.

As Scott would always end his letters and cards:

"Be Well.

Dream Harder.

I love you."

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Ht5zkbW5yGk