‘She was a great kid’: Vigils held to honor teen found slain in West Side park

CHICAGO – The teenage girl found dead last Monday at a playground in East Garfield Park is remembered as a kind person, a talented chef, and a bright student who had a promising future ahead of her.

“When I say a wonderful kid, she was a wonderful kid,” Jasmine Reynolds said.

On Sunday, police sources confirmed to WGN a person of interest has been identified in Kaylah Love’s murder, but no charges have been filed. Investigators are still asking anyone with information to come forward, while Cook County Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an indictment or arrest of the person(s) responsible.

According to the Chicago police, Kaylah’s body was found at Horan Park in the 3000 block of West Van Buren Street around 4:50 p.m. last Monday. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police sources told WGN-TV that the victim suffered severe head trauma and was stabbed in the face and neck close to a dozen times. The Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled her death a homicide and said she died from multiple injuries related to an assault.

Sources believe the victim’s body may have been in the park since the day before she was found. A woman called to report two people fighting, but officers that stopped by and checked the area reported they did not find anything.  

According to family, Kaylah said she was going to McDonald’s Sunday afternoon, but did not return home. She was reported missing to police by her family the next day.

Kaylah was a sophomore at Manley Career Academy where the first of two memorials was held Sunday. Releasing black and purple balloons, her two favorite colors, family members, friends, faculty, and elected officials came together to honor her memory.

“We are asking for justice, and we’ll be right there with them. I’m grateful that everyone has come together to just show them how much we love them,” 11^th Police District Councilwoman Alees Edwards said.

Kaylah’s family said she loved music, was considering pursuing culinary arts in college, and loved to decorate and draw. Instead of helping her prepare for her future, they’re having to plan her funeral.

“Kaylah, she did not deserve this. My little cousin, she did not deserve this,” Reynolds said. “At 16 years old, there’s no way should she be gone. There’s no way another mother should have to bury her child. That’s not how it’s supposed to go.”

Family told WGN Kaylah was a middle child to her siblings, who loved her and looked up to her.

“We have lost a productive member of the community, we have lost somebody who obviously had a positive effect on people and no one deserves it, but definitely not a 16-year-old child who had a bright future in front of them, who had siblings that looked up to her and loved her, parents that loved her, aunts, uncles, cousins,” said Kenyatta Euring.

Euring spoke about his cousin at both memorial gatherings. The second one was held by the park where Kaylah’s body was found.

“The healing process is going to be very long for this, so don’t forget, and keep on it until justice was served,” Euring said.

According to police sources, investigators have been working tirelessly on the case, tracking down leads, speaking with witnesses, and working to piece together the case. They ask anyone with information to reach out.

Anonymous tips can be emailed to tips@cookcountycrimestoppers.org. You can also submit an anonymous tip at CPDtip.com or by calling CPD’s hotline 833-408-0069.