This is such a moving tribute.
As you’ve undoubtedly heard, University of Idaho students Maddie Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin were murdered in a shocking massacre in their off-campus housing in Moscow back in November. And while much of the focus has been and will remain for the next few months on alleged killer Bryan Kohberger as his trial looms, this latest story is not about him at all. It’s about fallen friends.
Related: Moscow House Will Be Demolished — University Considers Memorial For Victims
In probably the most overt symbol of life going on even in the wake of tragedy, 21-year-old Kaylee’s big sister Alivea had her baby last week. The Goncalves family celebrated the occasion on Facebook, revealing she gave birth on Friday morning, and both she and the baby were healthy:
“Alivea and Robbie are doing great! We are blessed.”
But it was the name that brought a tear to our eye…
First you have to remember that the Goncalves family lost more than just one daughter, more than just one sister. Kaylee and Maddie had been best friends since they were little girls, inseparable for years. Kaylee’s parents have explained previously that Maddie was around so much she was like another “daughter” to them. Kristi Goncalves told Fox News:
“Maddie was in our oldest daughter’s wedding. She said, ‘All of my sisters are my bridesmaids,’ and Maddie was one of those bridesmaids. And it was all of Alivea’s sisters, including Maddie. Every time we traveled out of the country or went on vacation, Maddie went with us, so this is both of our girls, and we will never stop looking for who killed them.”
Not only that, the besties even spent their last breath together as well. They were found in the same bed, having been killed just seconds apart. They were together almost their whole lives…
With all that in mind, you can understand why the name Alivea chose for her daughter is so important. The family revealed she named her:
Theodora MaddieKay Stevenson
MaddieKay. Maddie and Kay. Two friends together forever in the name of a new daughter, a new sister. It’s such a beautiful sentiment.
We’re glad the family can get such a wonderful bit of news amid all the chaos which will, unfortunately, continue for quite some time as the trial drags on. Even before the next hearing, we’re sure to get a dozen more leaks about evidence and motive. We’re glad the fam has something good and pure to look forward to.
[Image via Kaylee Goncalves/Instagram.]
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