The father of a seven-year-old girl who was shot by her mother alongside her three sisters has issued a heartbreaking message after she tragically died whilst fighting for her life.
Olivia Blackmer spent five days in intensive care but sadly died on 15 February from the traumatic head injury she suffered after being shot by her mother, Tranyelle Harshman, at their home in Wyoming on 10 February. Olivia’s older sister Brailey, nine, and their twin half-sisters Brooke and Jordan, two, died at the scene.
Olivia was taken to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah for treatment. Sadly, her father, Quinn Blackmer, shared the heartbreaking news that she’d passed away.
As he made the devastating announcement on Facebook, Quinn thanked “every single person that has donated and prayed and fasted for us and our family and our beautiful Olivia.” He added: “The peace I find is knowing that my babies don’t have to be apart from each other and they can also be with their other sisters.”
Olivia’s stepmother Katelynn also provided an update and said that Olivia had “gained her angel wings” as she paid tribute to the youngster. “Olivia is with her sisters now. She gained her angel wings yesterday at 3:44pm,” she wrote on a GoFundMe page that had been created to help raise funds for Olivia’s medical expenses.
The post continued: “She fought so so hard up til the last minute! Her body and her brain had been through too much, medication helped but we reached a point where medical options were exhausted and her body only continued to get worse.
“She kept fighting through it all though until her heart stopped. We are grateful she hung on as long as she did so we could get some valuable time with our sweet baby girl the last five days. We want to thank each and every one of you for your prayers and support for our family.”
Cliff Harshman, the dad of twins Brooke and Jordan, has also opened up about his loss in the wake of their deaths. Speaking to KTVQ, he said that the death of his daughters was “something beyond what I can comprehend” and that he was a “mess”.
He continued: “I’m so angry. I don’t even know how to explain this to you. I’m so angry with her for the decision that was made.”
Following the incident, another GoFundMe page has been set up for Cliff to help reduce the financial pressures of funeral costs and to help provide ongoing support. Speaking of how members of the community had come to help him, he told the publication: “I was at a hotel that wouldn’t let me pay. I also went to Murdoch’s to buy a change of clothes and was told not to worry about it.”
After shooting the four children, Harshman, who, according to the Mirror US, reportedly struggled with her mental health, called 911. Here she told the dispatcher where the authorities would find their bodies. She then turned the gun on herself.
When officers arrived, they found Harshman alive. She later died in a Billings hospital.
If you feel like you could be affected by depression and need to speak to someone, Samaritans are available 24/7 by calling 116 123 or by emailing [email protected].
Get email updates with the day’s biggest stories