Victoria "Tori" Busch

It is with a heavy heart that I write this.  In the early morning of Monday September 7, my dear friends Brian and Kelly Busch lost their precious baby girl Victoria “Tori” Lynn Busch. Tori was tragically shot and killed in Panama Beach City Florida, a violent and senseless loss of life.  

 

Born November 13th, 2000, Tori was just 19 years old.  She was a young sweet girl turning into a beautiful vibrant young woman. Tori had just recently graduated from North Paulding High School in 2019 and was enthusiastically enrolled at Georgia Northwestern Technical College where she was pursuing a bright future in welding.

Tori, described as a “goofball” by friends, had a zest for life and lit up a room the minute she walked in. She was a well-rounded energetic young woman who was just as comfortable in jeans and a T-Shirt as she was all dolled up in one of her many prom dresses (which she confidently rocked with her converse sneakers and cowgirl boots)- just a beautiful soul.

Tori loved life, she enjoyed traveling with her family and spending time with her many friends. Tori had a passion for caring for young children and would have one day made a wonderful mother herself.  She was through and through a genuine kind soul with a huge heart.

Tori’s father, Brian, was informed of the incident when local police arrived on their door step to deliver the news. Her mom Kelly a long-time flight attendant at United Airlines was cross country on a trip. Imagine being that far away and hearing the news no parent or sibling should ever have to hear. Kelly spent the day desperately trying to get home and join her family. Surrounded by their loving friends they call family; they are awaiting the details and plan to travel to Florida to find the answers they desperately need and to bring their sweet girl home.

I personally met Kelly in the spring of 1993 when we were starting as flight attendants at Continental Airlines. I have met several people I call friends over the course of the years but have only a few that are my lifelong friends, more like sisters, the kind of friend you can not talk to for a year and pick up as if it had only been days, or one that will drive through the night if you need them-  one of which is Kelly. I remember her meeting Brian and falling in love and dreaming of having a family. They were blessed with 2 children and were the epitome of the all-American family. Tori and her younger brother Anthony were Kelly and Brian’s world and my heart aches for them- a pain I have never known.

Brian and Kelly Busch are some of the most special people with hearts of gold. The kind of people that know no stranger and welcome friends into their home like family. I am at a loss for words and feel helpless not being near them. I have started this Go Fund Me page in hopes of lightening the financial burden of all of the upcoming expenses the family will incur as they bring their baby home and lay her to rest. It is my hope we can all come together and donate enough so that Brian and Kelly are able to take the time they need to spend grieving with their family, including Tori’s younger brother Anthony. All donated monies will be withdrawn by Brian or Kelly as beneficiaries on this page. I ask from the bottom of my heart that anyone reading this help in any way they can- together we as a community can help bring some peace to this family during such an unimaginable time- Thank you all in advance for your help and support.

Sweet Tori, the world will never be the same without you in it- you will be forever in our hearts. May God care for you, his new angel, and wrap his arms around your sweet mom, dad, and little brother. Rest in peace beautiful girl!