Laura was killed in a rampage shooting while home on winter break from college. She was at her place of work in rural Nevada County, when a severely mentally ill gunman shot her four times at close range, killing her instantly. Laura was nineteen.
Laura had extraordinary capabilities, kindness, and spirit. She was an outstanding student, graduating as high school valedictorian, and was at the time of her death a sophomore at Haverford College and in the midst of her campaign for the student body presidency. Laura was extremely organized and motivated; she lived life fully as she danced through her days, easily juggling rigorous academics, student council, community service, piano, ballet, and long distance running. She had many close friends.
At age nineteen, Laura was already living a life full of service; she wanted to make a positive difference in the world…she had unlimited possibilities and the brightest of prospects. Her daily life was witness to her beliefs as she touched and inspired the lives of those around her.
Laura’s killer had a houseful of illegal guns. In Laura’s memory, we are working to keep guns out of dangerous hands. We seek to spare other parents the pain of losing a child to gunfire. We miss our daughter every day.
My heart goes out this beautiful young lady’s parents. Please accept my deepest sympathies for your loss and unending pain.