On July 11, 2024, Alexa Stakely picked up her 6-year-old son from the babysitter’s house. After putting her son in the car, she went back to the house to grab something she forgot. That’s when tragedy struck.

According to a media release from the Columbus Division of Police, in the moments Stakely was gone from her car, someone got in her car and started to drive away with her son asleep in the backseat. Stakely ran towards the car screaming for her son.

Then the car hit her. Two men were seen leaving the car and running away. Meanwhile, Stakely lay motionless on the ground. She lost her life. Her son was unharmed.

On their Facebook page, Canal Winchester Schools shared the news of Stakely’s death. She was a speech language pathologist at the school and was known by her students as Ms. Alexa.

The school district shared, “Alexa was passionate about children and speech-language therapy. She was smart and compassionate, and she cared so much about helping children develop their ability to communicate. She was a great mom who was incredibly dedicated to her son. Ms. Stakely made a difference in the lives of the students and families she worked with and will be missed by so many in our community and beyond.”

A GoFundMe has been set up for Stakely’s son “to make sure he has everything he needs moving forward.” The fundraiser organizers explained, “This tragedy is truly one of the most heartbreaking terrible things imaginable and we just want everyone who knew her to be able to remember her in the best way they can.” 

At the time of publication, the fundraiser has already raised over $57,000, well surpassing the original goal of $15,000.

In addition to working at a school, Stakely also worked a second job as a waitress. It was after leaving her waitressing job that she went to pick up her son on that fateful night.

Watch the video below to learn more about Stakely and her tragic death.