PEORIA, Ill. – Monday was the three-year anniversary of a murder-suicide in Peoria, and family members of the woman killed continue to honor her memory.
Balloons were released at the former South Peoria home Kayla Fannon, 30 — killed by her ex-boyfriend, David Jenkins, 39, before Jenkins turned the gun on himself.
“Domestic violence is real. Gun violence is real,” said Marni Rora, Kayla Fannon’s aunt, to news partner 25 News. “We can’t help Kayla — I can’t help her now. But my goal is to help someone in the future.”
Rora comes back to the home on West John W. Gwynn, Jr. Avenue often, and thinks about Fannon every time.
“It brings back a lot of bad memories. It’s hard. It’s very hard,” said Rora.
Rora has custody of several of Fannon’s children.
Peoria Police were accused of listening to Fannon’s pleas for help in the day before the fatal shooting, but allegedly did nothing. The family received a $1.7 million lawsuit settlement from the City.
Family members now say that current Peoria Police anti-violence efforts are a step in the right direction.
