Angel Ann Marie Rogers, a young mother who had recently celebrated her 21st birthday, has been identified as one of the victims of the tragic New Year’s Day terrorist attack in New Orleans, Channel2 NOW has learned.

Her grieving family is now navigating unimaginable pain and loss as they seek support to honor her memory and provide for her young son.

Rogers’ mother, Kayla McKinney, spoke to Channel 2 NOW, sharing her heartbreak and the profound impact her daughter’s death has had on their family. Through a GoFundMe campaign, McKinney expressed her anguish and outlined her hopes for laying her daughter to rest and securing a future for her grandson.

“I am creating this GoFundMe on behalf of my deceased daughter and my grandson,” McKinney wrote. “My family is living through so much pain and heartache. My sweet baby Angel was taken from us during the recent attack in New Orleans. I need help to bring what’s left of my child back home to Milwaukee so I can give her a proper burial and start a savings fund for her sweet baby boy. Anything counts.”

McKinney’s words revealed the depth of her sorrow and the cherished memories of her daughter:

“My heart is shattered. Our sweet Angel, who just turned 21, was taken from us. I’m devastated, angry, heartbroken, lost, and so many other things that words can’t express. She was an amazing daughter, mother, friend, and sister—so full of light and love. It doesn’t feel real, and we are completely broken.”

McKinney also shared a heartfelt plea to others, urging them to cherish their loved ones:

“I want to remind you to hug your kids, talk to them, and let them know you love them. You never know when their last day is. This world is hard and so cruel.”

As the family grieves, they are leaning on the support of friends, loved ones, and the community. McKinney concluded her message with a request for prayers:

“Right now, our family is grieving and trying to process this. Your prayers mean so much to us. Please keep holding us close in your hearts.”

The loss of Angel Ann Marie Rogers is a devastating reminder of the senselessness of violence and the irreplaceable void it leaves in the lives of those left behind. Her family’s efforts to bring her home and provide for her son serve as a testament to the enduring love they have for her.