March 31, 2025
Teen Killed by Boyfriend in Front of Friends
The investigation continues into the murder of 16-year-old Kaylah Love, who was stabbed and beaten to death in a park on Chicago's West Side. Her family has organized a gathering to encourage anyone with information to come forward.
Kaylah was last heard from on Sunday, March 16, 2025, as she went to pick up fast food in the Lawndale neighborhood.
CREDITS:
Created, Written, & Produced by John Reedburg
Hosted & Narrated by Samantha Paul
Production Company: John Reedburg Media
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
https://www.youtube.com/@NoTearsForBlacksGirls
facebook.com/notearsforblackgirls
instagram.com/notearsforblackgirls
tiktok.com/@notearsforblackgirls
1
00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:05,760
The tragic death of 16 year old
Kayla Love, a sophomore at Manly
2
00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:09,640
Career Academy High School, has
devastated Chicago's West Side
3
00:00:09,640 --> 00:00:13,400
community and raised serious
questions about police response.
4
00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:17,800
The talented young woman, known
for her culinary aspirations and
5
00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:22,120
artistic abilities, was found
brutally murdered at Horan Park
6
00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:25,680
after what should have been a
routine trip to McDonald's.
7
00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:30,040
On March 16th, Kayla informed
her family she was heading to
8
00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:32,360
McDonald's but never returned
home.
9
00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:36,360
Surveillance footage later
revealed she had walked hand in
10
00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:40,440
hand with a teenage boy from the
McDonald's at Roosevelt Rd. and
11
00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:43,800
Kedzie Ave.
Minutes later, according to
12
00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:48,120
witnesses and evidence, this
same boy allegedly carried out a
13
00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:51,960
vicious attack at Horan Park
while two of his friends
14
00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:54,320
reportedly watched the assault
unfold.
15
00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:58,400
The initial police response has
come under intense scrutiny.
16
00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:03,400
Officers received a 911 call
about a fight in the 3000 block
17
00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:07,440
of W Van Buren at Horan Park
that evening, but merely drove
18
00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:09,440
by without thoroughly
investigating.
19
00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:13,240
A dispatchers recording later
revealed the devastating
20
00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:17,040
possibility she could have been
dead or dying when they pulled
21
00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:20,720
up.
This missed opportunity has led
22
00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:23,880
to an internal investigation of
the officers involved,
23
00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:28,480
particularly troubling given the
parks proximity just two blocks
24
00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:31,040
away from Area 4 police
headquarters.
25
00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:35,080
The attack itself was described
by prosecutors as brutal and
26
00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:38,040
unrelenting.
The suspect allegedly struck
27
00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:41,600
Kayla in the face, knocked her
to the ground and continued the
28
00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:43,680
assault with his feet and a
glass bottle.
29
00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:48,280
She suffered multiple wounds to
her face and neck, as well as
30
00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:51,440
severe head trauma.
The Cook County Medical
31
00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:54,760
Examiner's office officially
ruled her death a homicide.
32
00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:59,120
Perhaps most chilling was the
suspect's subsequent online
33
00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:02,200
search.
How many years can a teenager
34
00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:05,600
get for murder?
Investigators pieced together
35
00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:08,720
crucial evidence, including
surveillance video tracking the
36
00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:12,240
suspect from the crime scene to
his home, clothing matching what
37
00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:15,480
he wore that night, and his
encrypted social media handle
38
00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:17,760
saved in Kayla's phone under
boyfriend.
39
00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:22,080
The 16 year old suspect was
arrested by Area 4 Homicide
40
00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:25,320
Investigative Support Team
members and has appeared in Cook
41
00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:28,520
County Juvenile Court where a
judge ordered him held in
42
00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:31,200
custody due to the severity of
the alleged attack.
43
00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:35,480
Kayla's life and dreams stood in
stark contrast to her violent
44
00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:38,040
end.
She excelled in her studies at
45
00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:42,120
Manly Career Academy and held an
internship at Chicago's Gallery
46
00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:45,040
37, where she pursued her love
of drawing.
47
00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:49,040
Her true passion was cooking and
she had been excited about
48
00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:53,200
future college possibilities.
Family members described her as
49
00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:57,200
deeply loved and wonderful,
admiring her creativity,
50
00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:02,800
kindness and artistic soul.
She loved music, decorating and
51
00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:05,760
had been looking forward to
pursuing her culinary dreams.
52
00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:11,000
At a rain soaked vigil attended
by over 100 people, loved ones
53
00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,720
released black and purple
balloons, her favorite colors,
54
00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:18,680
while sharing poignant memories.
Classmates recalled her
55
00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:22,080
infectious smile and
enthusiastic greetings, while
56
00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:24,800
family members struggled to
comprehend their loss.
57
00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:29,800
I just want justice for my baby.
Kayla's mother cried during the
58
00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:33,480
emotional gathering.
Alderman Jason Irvin has
59
00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:37,480
promised accountability stating
if the officers did not do what
60
00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:41,200
they were supposed to do, did
not follow procedure, did not
61
00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:44,680
follow common sense, they will
be dealt with appropriately.
62
00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:49,000
The Chicago Police Department
confirmed an internal
63
00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:52,640
investigation was underway
regarding the officer's response
64
00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:56,120
to the initial call.
The case continues to develop
65
00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:59,320
with the suspects next court
appearance scheduled for April
66
00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:04,200
16th, 2025.
Cook County Crime Stoppers has
67
00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:07,840
announced a reward of up to
$10,000 for information leading
68
00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:11,160
to an indictment.
The family has established a
69
00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:14,800
GoFundMe campaign to cover
funeral expenses, seeking
70
00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:18,600
community support to give Kayla
the memorial she deserves while
71
00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:22,400
honoring her life and legacy.
Kayla's mother's anguished
72
00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:26,440
observation about the proximity
of the police station, My
73
00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:30,320
daughter and the police station
is right there underscores the
74
00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:33,800
painful questions surrounding
this case about prevention,
75
00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:38,840
response, and accountability.
The three acre Horan Park where
76
00:04:38,840 --> 00:04:43,000
Kayla's body was discovered sits
as a stark reminder of how close
77
00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:48,200
help was, yet so tragically far.
This senseless loss of a
78
00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:51,640
promising young life has left an
irreparable void in the
79
00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:55,160
community, with Kayla's family
and friends left to mourn the
80
00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:59,600
future she'll never have.
As one family member declared at
81
00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,800
the vigil, Chicago, we're better
than this.
82
00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:06,680
You are a God of justice and
we're praying for justice.
83
00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:10,560
Thanks for listening to No Tears
for Black Girls.
84
00:05:10,840 --> 00:05:13,720
If you enjoyed our show, please
take a moment to leave us a five
85
00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:17,440
star rating, Hit that subscribe
button and give us a follow on
86
00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:20,560
social media.
Your support means the world to
87
00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:23,760
us and helps us continue sharing
these important stories.
88
00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:29,840
Stay blessed, stay loved, and
most importantly, stay safe.
00:00:01,080 --> 00:00:05,760
The tragic death of 16 year old
Kayla Love, a sophomore at Manly
2
00:00:05,760 --> 00:00:09,640
Career Academy High School, has
devastated Chicago's West Side
3
00:00:09,640 --> 00:00:13,400
community and raised serious
questions about police response.
4
00:00:13,840 --> 00:00:17,800
The talented young woman, known
for her culinary aspirations and
5
00:00:17,800 --> 00:00:22,120
artistic abilities, was found
brutally murdered at Horan Park
6
00:00:22,640 --> 00:00:25,680
after what should have been a
routine trip to McDonald's.
7
00:00:26,480 --> 00:00:30,040
On March 16th, Kayla informed
her family she was heading to
8
00:00:30,040 --> 00:00:32,360
McDonald's but never returned
home.
9
00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:36,360
Surveillance footage later
revealed she had walked hand in
10
00:00:36,360 --> 00:00:40,440
hand with a teenage boy from the
McDonald's at Roosevelt Rd. and
11
00:00:40,440 --> 00:00:43,800
Kedzie Ave.
Minutes later, according to
12
00:00:43,800 --> 00:00:48,120
witnesses and evidence, this
same boy allegedly carried out a
13
00:00:48,120 --> 00:00:51,960
vicious attack at Horan Park
while two of his friends
14
00:00:51,960 --> 00:00:54,320
reportedly watched the assault
unfold.
15
00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:58,400
The initial police response has
come under intense scrutiny.
16
00:00:58,720 --> 00:01:03,400
Officers received a 911 call
about a fight in the 3000 block
17
00:01:03,400 --> 00:01:07,440
of W Van Buren at Horan Park
that evening, but merely drove
18
00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:09,440
by without thoroughly
investigating.
19
00:01:10,400 --> 00:01:13,240
A dispatchers recording later
revealed the devastating
20
00:01:13,240 --> 00:01:17,040
possibility she could have been
dead or dying when they pulled
21
00:01:17,040 --> 00:01:20,720
up.
This missed opportunity has led
22
00:01:20,720 --> 00:01:23,880
to an internal investigation of
the officers involved,
23
00:01:24,280 --> 00:01:28,480
particularly troubling given the
parks proximity just two blocks
24
00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:31,040
away from Area 4 police
headquarters.
25
00:01:31,920 --> 00:01:35,080
The attack itself was described
by prosecutors as brutal and
26
00:01:35,080 --> 00:01:38,040
unrelenting.
The suspect allegedly struck
27
00:01:38,040 --> 00:01:41,600
Kayla in the face, knocked her
to the ground and continued the
28
00:01:41,600 --> 00:01:43,680
assault with his feet and a
glass bottle.
29
00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:48,280
She suffered multiple wounds to
her face and neck, as well as
30
00:01:48,280 --> 00:01:51,440
severe head trauma.
The Cook County Medical
31
00:01:51,440 --> 00:01:54,760
Examiner's office officially
ruled her death a homicide.
32
00:01:55,560 --> 00:01:59,120
Perhaps most chilling was the
suspect's subsequent online
33
00:01:59,120 --> 00:02:02,200
search.
How many years can a teenager
34
00:02:02,200 --> 00:02:05,600
get for murder?
Investigators pieced together
35
00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:08,720
crucial evidence, including
surveillance video tracking the
36
00:02:08,720 --> 00:02:12,240
suspect from the crime scene to
his home, clothing matching what
37
00:02:12,240 --> 00:02:15,480
he wore that night, and his
encrypted social media handle
38
00:02:15,480 --> 00:02:17,760
saved in Kayla's phone under
boyfriend.
39
00:02:18,760 --> 00:02:22,080
The 16 year old suspect was
arrested by Area 4 Homicide
40
00:02:22,080 --> 00:02:25,320
Investigative Support Team
members and has appeared in Cook
41
00:02:25,320 --> 00:02:28,520
County Juvenile Court where a
judge ordered him held in
42
00:02:28,520 --> 00:02:31,200
custody due to the severity of
the alleged attack.
43
00:02:31,800 --> 00:02:35,480
Kayla's life and dreams stood in
stark contrast to her violent
44
00:02:35,480 --> 00:02:38,040
end.
She excelled in her studies at
45
00:02:38,040 --> 00:02:42,120
Manly Career Academy and held an
internship at Chicago's Gallery
46
00:02:42,120 --> 00:02:45,040
37, where she pursued her love
of drawing.
47
00:02:45,840 --> 00:02:49,040
Her true passion was cooking and
she had been excited about
48
00:02:49,040 --> 00:02:53,200
future college possibilities.
Family members described her as
49
00:02:53,200 --> 00:02:57,200
deeply loved and wonderful,
admiring her creativity,
50
00:02:57,520 --> 00:03:02,800
kindness and artistic soul.
She loved music, decorating and
51
00:03:02,800 --> 00:03:05,760
had been looking forward to
pursuing her culinary dreams.
52
00:03:06,520 --> 00:03:11,000
At a rain soaked vigil attended
by over 100 people, loved ones
53
00:03:11,000 --> 00:03:14,720
released black and purple
balloons, her favorite colors,
54
00:03:15,000 --> 00:03:18,680
while sharing poignant memories.
Classmates recalled her
55
00:03:18,680 --> 00:03:22,080
infectious smile and
enthusiastic greetings, while
56
00:03:22,080 --> 00:03:24,800
family members struggled to
comprehend their loss.
57
00:03:25,960 --> 00:03:29,800
I just want justice for my baby.
Kayla's mother cried during the
58
00:03:29,800 --> 00:03:33,480
emotional gathering.
Alderman Jason Irvin has
59
00:03:33,480 --> 00:03:37,480
promised accountability stating
if the officers did not do what
60
00:03:37,480 --> 00:03:41,200
they were supposed to do, did
not follow procedure, did not
61
00:03:41,200 --> 00:03:44,680
follow common sense, they will
be dealt with appropriately.
62
00:03:45,960 --> 00:03:49,000
The Chicago Police Department
confirmed an internal
63
00:03:49,000 --> 00:03:52,640
investigation was underway
regarding the officer's response
64
00:03:52,640 --> 00:03:56,120
to the initial call.
The case continues to develop
65
00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:59,320
with the suspects next court
appearance scheduled for April
66
00:03:59,320 --> 00:04:04,200
16th, 2025.
Cook County Crime Stoppers has
67
00:04:04,200 --> 00:04:07,840
announced a reward of up to
$10,000 for information leading
68
00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:11,160
to an indictment.
The family has established a
69
00:04:11,160 --> 00:04:14,800
GoFundMe campaign to cover
funeral expenses, seeking
70
00:04:14,800 --> 00:04:18,600
community support to give Kayla
the memorial she deserves while
71
00:04:18,600 --> 00:04:22,400
honoring her life and legacy.
Kayla's mother's anguished
72
00:04:22,400 --> 00:04:26,440
observation about the proximity
of the police station, My
73
00:04:26,440 --> 00:04:30,320
daughter and the police station
is right there underscores the
74
00:04:30,320 --> 00:04:33,800
painful questions surrounding
this case about prevention,
75
00:04:34,000 --> 00:04:38,840
response, and accountability.
The three acre Horan Park where
76
00:04:38,840 --> 00:04:43,000
Kayla's body was discovered sits
as a stark reminder of how close
77
00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:48,200
help was, yet so tragically far.
This senseless loss of a
78
00:04:48,200 --> 00:04:51,640
promising young life has left an
irreparable void in the
79
00:04:51,640 --> 00:04:55,160
community, with Kayla's family
and friends left to mourn the
80
00:04:55,160 --> 00:04:59,600
future she'll never have.
As one family member declared at
81
00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:02,800
the vigil, Chicago, we're better
than this.
82
00:05:03,240 --> 00:05:06,680
You are a God of justice and
we're praying for justice.
83
00:05:08,040 --> 00:05:10,560
Thanks for listening to No Tears
for Black Girls.
84
00:05:10,840 --> 00:05:13,720
If you enjoyed our show, please
take a moment to leave us a five
85
00:05:13,720 --> 00:05:17,440
star rating, Hit that subscribe
button and give us a follow on
86
00:05:17,440 --> 00:05:20,560
social media.
Your support means the world to
87
00:05:20,560 --> 00:05:23,760
us and helps us continue sharing
these important stories.
88
00:05:24,520 --> 00:05:29,840
Stay blessed, stay loved, and
most importantly, stay safe.
