The shock of what happened to Ella and David continues to reverberate through our community, and every now and then out of the blue, I start bawling for the families of these young people and can’t stop. To lose a child in their 20s is more than a parent can handle. It’s unbearable. I don’t feel it is my place to say much more than a few words, so I will stop here and give space for what was written on the GoFundMe pages of each family. Please contribute to them, as you can imagine that it probably feels impossible to work, go to school, make dinner, anything, everything.
From Ella’s Family’s GoFundMe:
Our community is heartbroken.
Lauren and Sky Weaver, along with Lucia Weaver, have suffered the unimaginable loss of their beloved daughter, Ella Weaver, in a tragic car accident. Ella’s boyfriend, David Klein, also lost his life. They were deeply loved, and their lives were closely intertwined-two bright souls taken far too soon.
Ella was a bright golden light. She had a smile that lit up a room and a playful spirit that made people feel instantly at ease. She was the kind of person who brought warmth and joy wherever she went.
She loved her cat, Cowboy, her family and friends and had just graduated from esthetician school, stepping into a life devoted to helping others feel beautiful and confident. She worked hard, pushed through challenges, and was so proud of the life she was beginning to build. She was actively counting down the days to summer, excited for what was ahead-full of hope, dreams, and possibility.
There are no words that can truly hold the depth of this loss. Ella’s absence is being felt deeply by her family, her friends, and this entire community that loved her so much. In addition to giving the family the space to grieve, funds raised will help ease the many practical burdens that accompany such a devastating loss – including memorial expenses, lost income from time away from work, travel and family needs, grief support, and the countless unexpected costs that arise in moments like these.
If you feel moved to give, any contribution—no matter the size—is deeply appreciated. And if you’re unable to donate, sharing this page or holding this family in your thoughts means so much.
To give to Ella’s Family’s GoFundMe, click here.
From David’s Family’s GoFundMe:
David R Klein Jr was a beloved brother, son, and friend whose kindness and positivity touched everyone around him. He was the third youngest and fourth oldest of five siblings—Ashley, Tamara, Tomue, Kayla, and Taylor—and the cherished son of Sonya and David Klein Sr. David’s grandparents, Fred and Solange Klein, are still with us, and his family is heartbroken by his sudden loss. David and his beautiful girlfriend Ella Weaver went on a trip after a concert to surprise his sister and mother, but tragically, they were involved in a multi-fatality accident and are no longer with us.
David was passionate about skateboarding, basketball, and his work as an adult. He was always proud of his job and brought joy to those around him. David showed the world kindness and would do anything to make the people he cared about smile. He was proof that, no matter what challenges life brought, you could still choose love and positivity. David stood up for those who mattered to him and was always there for anyone in need. He made the world a better place and was the steady rock of our family from the day he was born. As his older sister, I spent much of my childhood babysitting David, and it was never a chore—I loved him deeply, and he was my favorite sidekick. I took him everywhere for years, and everyone I know has heard me brag about how wonderful all of my siblings are. David will always be my hero, and I am a better person because of him.
The skate community meant so much to David. From the day the local skatepark was built, David was there, learning, growing, and being accepted by everyone. The skatepark was a place where David could let his energy out freely and be openly embraced by the community. The Orcas skatepark community will always be close to our hearts, and we are grateful for the way it helped David stay the sweet and goofy guy we all knew and loved. Funds raised will help our family mourn, cover funeral expenses, and celebrate David’s memory. If a large sum is donated, any extra funds will be given to skateparks in David’s name, honoring his passion and the community that supported him.
We ask for your support in helping our family through this unimaginable loss and in celebrating David’s life and impact. Thank you for being part of this journey and for keeping David’s memory alive.
To give to David’s family’s GoFundMe, click here.
