Justice For Gabby
On July 1, 2016, in the early morning hours, Gabby Hill-Carter, a 22 year old student at the University of Central Florida (UCF) was murdered outside of her apartment complex. She was killed by 24-year-old Robert German who is believed to have been stalking her for weeks prior to the night he followed her off campus and into her gated community where she lived with her twin sister Dominique.
Gabby's family has not only lost someone dear to them but they're also fighting an uphill battle with UCF who has refused aid during this most trying time. Initially administrators said they didn't know what role if any they could play in helping the Carter family with funeral expenses or counseling services for Gabby's twin sister. Then recently, they told the family that had not only refused to pay for Gabby's funeral expenses but also refused to let Dominique graduate with her sister's class next month at UCF's College of Business Administration where she was on track to get her Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management.
Gabby Hill-Carter is survived by her twin sister Dominique and their parents Karen and Richard Hill Sr.
"This case is an urgent matter," said State Representative Bob Cortes who held a press conference on Saturday demanding answers from UCF administrators whom he has already reached out to numerous times about this travesty. "It would be great if someone stepped up." Commissioner-Elect Omar Cbapo who also helped host the press conference said that UCF had made it clear they were not going to help the family with funeral expenses. "It is time for them to step up and do what's right."
As everybody present including speakers, reporters, law enforcement officials and Hill family members gathered at the press conference which was being held outside of The Grove where Gabby was murdered, concerned citizens expressed their outrage about this grossly mishandled situation.
"I am so sorry for your loss," said one citizen who wished not to be identified but has children attending UCF. "This is wrong on so many levels. I saw the story on social media last week and was appalled that no one knew how to reach out to you guys or even give you advice. If they can help a killer's family, they should be able to do the same for you."
"I will not rest until this is rectified," said Karen Hill who is still traumatized from hearing about her daughters murder. "Gabby was my life and now I have nothing left."
During today's press conference, State Rep Cortes demanded that UCF reverse their decision to not pay for Gabby's funeral expenses as well as give Dominique her sister's degree with the rest of her graduating class. He also called on Mayor Teresa Jacobs and County Commissioner Jennifer Thompson to look into this issue saying that it had gone on long enough.
After the press conference ended, a few reporters approached Karen Hill and asked if she would speak for herself and her daughter. Mrs. Hill said she would but first handed to me a letter Gabby wrote to the press a few years ago for a class project where students shared their reflections on being in the local news.
The letter was dated April 14, 2014 and the topic was Students Reflect on Being in The Media. In it, Gabby addressed how people often misconstrue stories to further their own agendas as well as use others as eye candy saying that only those who have been directly affected by news can tell when someone is being used as entertainment or exploited for ratings' sake. "In this increasingly visual world," wrote I, "it has become all too easy to take advantage of our peers for personal."
Gabby's words were concise and eloquent as she urged writers to embellish the truth, not with lies but with words that will make a difference. "The key is to go beyond the surface of every story you cover," Gabby wrote. "So before you send out a press release or report on a story, ask yourself: Is this really newsworthy? Does it have an impact?"
Gabby wanted her letter published in the April 15th edition of the school's newspaper The Central Florida Future where it ran under her photo with a byline saying 'Forgive Me For My Inconsequential Speeches'. Unfortunately, it never appeared. Instead, Gabby had to wait until Saturday for her thoughts to be heard by those who needed to hear them the most.
"Even though she was just 19 years old, Gabby understood that life is about more than social media and selfies," I said to the reporters who now surrounded Karen Hill for comment. "She was wise beyond her years."
As Karen Hill began weeping with pride, I started to hand her daughter's letter when I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. Tearing off the bottom portion of the page which included Gabby's photo, Commissioner-Elect Omar Cbapo handed me back what he thought was garbage saying that Gabby hadn't earned it.
My jaw dropped as Omar walked away not stopping even after Karen Hill called out his name pleading with him to stop because she hadn't gotten a chance to read what her daughter had written.
"I thought he was a good man," said Karen Hill as she watched Omar walk out of sight. "But I guess I was wrong."
At this point, Mrs. Hill began weeping so hard that the reporters started to feel uncomfortable prompting them to leave as quickly as they arrived without giving her a chance to read Gabby's words.
Myself and another reporter named Bryan Santiago waited around until Mrs. Hill composed herself enough to read what her daughter wrote just hours before being gunned down on campus. Reading those words below brought tears to my eyes too because they were filled with wisdom beyond Gabby's years:
"Who doesn't want someone who is youthful, adventurous; with endless shoots for shoots for photo essays? But can't we find someone who is willing to look beyond the selfie-centered social media fixation, and make a difference in this world? I think it will be worth preserving what really matters for future generations because beauty fades with age while memories are timeless."
Karen Hill looked up from reading her daughter's words saying that even though she was only 19 years old, Gabby understood how precious life is. "I hope everyone takes time to reflect on what they have versus what others don't," said Karen Hill. "If every person did that then maybe no mother would ever have to bury their child again."
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