Kayla Nicole Fanaei, a 20-year-old University of Alabama at Birmingham student, was voted class clown and biggest flirt in her 2005 graduating class from Parkway Christian Academy. The daughter of local businessman Matthew Fanaei, Kayla listed spending time with her friends and family as one of her top priorities. She was a crisis center and UAB Youth Safety Lab volunteer. On her Facebook.com profile she stated that, “All I want to do in life is be there for people as well as being happy myself.” She went on to say that she wanted to graduate from UAB and get a doctorate in psychology from Auburn University.
Kayla more than likely would have realized those dreams. Sadly, she was found shot to death in her car at 1 a.m. this morning at 1115 11th St. South, in the parking lot of Glen Iris Elementary.
At this point, no one knows if Kayla was coming from campus, or if she knew her killer. At 2 p.m. yesterday, she updated her Facebook.com status to, “Kayla is thinking that you’re missing out and she’s moving on.”
Several of her friends are already expressing their sadness on their Facebook.com profiles. It seems that although their friend is gone, they have good memories to cling to. Kayla had a great and eclectic taste in music: she lists James Morrison, Ben Harper, Etta James, Bush, No Doubt, Naz and Frank Sinatra as some of her favorites. Like other college students, there are lots of silly photographs and inside jokes posted on her profile, and she was a big fan of UAB Soccer.
An alert was sent out by the UAB Emergency Management Team at 9:47 a.m. to all students, faculty, staff and alumni with valid UAB e-mail accounts with the subject line, “Student death under investigation.”
The e-mail states, “A non-resident, female UAB student was found shot to death early this morning in an off-campus location by Birmingham police. The Birmingham Police Department is investigating with the cooperation of UAB police. Persons with possible information about this incident should contact the Birmingham police at 254-1764. Members of the UAB community needing support or assistance should contact the UAB Counseling Center at 934-5816.”
The use of “non-resident” and “off-campus location” indicates that the university wants to drive home that this death is in no way an indication of campus security or lack thereof. However, Glen Iris Elementary is located across the street from the UAB business and engineering complex, as well as the communication studies faculty offices, ROTC building, and within walking distance of UAB Highlands, soccer and baseball fields, the Spencer Honors House and Alys Stephens Center. Many UAB students live in houses and apartments in the area surrounding the elementary school, with some student residences directly across from the school.
Another 20-year-old, female UAB student, Sirrea Black, was found shot Nov. 1 of last year, but a man was charged with killing her in Hoover and leaving her body in the trunk of her car behind a grocery store in Bessemer. The university did not make a statement about the murder.
Unfortunately for Kayla’s family, friends, the UAB and Glen Iris community, the only thing to do now is wait, in hopes that the suspect in this “off-campus” incident is brought to justice.
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October 9th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
So tragic and unfair. God rest her soul.
October 10th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Kayla was my beautiful niece who had such a bright future. She always wanted to help others and was so smart. We will miss her terribly. She is no doubt in Heaven now, but the pain of her loss will be forever with us here on Earth until we meet again.
October 10th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Kayla’s death was so sudden and unfair. From what I know about her from her Mother, she was a beautiful loving young woman whom she was so proud of. My prayers are with all of you who hold her close in your heart and hope that god will help you get through the painful times ahead.
God bless you,
Susan Galfe
October 11th, 2007 at 2:28 pm
It is so sad that our children have to feel so unsafe in our society today, there is so much evil out there and I so strongly feel it comes from taking prayer as well as discipline out of our schools, so many parents today do not make their children be responsible for their wrong doings they make excuses for them which makes them feel that they do not have to be held accountable. Therefore they do not value life, and think nothing of wiping out a bright, beautiful, precious, smart young lady. I am the parent of 2 teenagers, and I warn them daily of the dangers. Those of you that have taken the bible, prayers and allegiance out of our schools should be so ashamed. You have created these monsters. My heart felt prayers go out to Kaylas family.
October 17th, 2007 at 9:18 am
To Kayla’s family, I am so sorry for your loss. I saw the interview on Gretta’s show and I feel so bad for y’all. I live in Kansas and I have a Son at KU. I warn him as the lady in the e-mail before me-about the dangers of life as it is. Your daughter is beautiful! No family should have to have their child taken from them like this. And yes as the lady before me in her e-mail said-Prayer should of never been taken out of our schools and it is because of people like that-who really have created these monsters. These kind of people do not value anyone or anything-and to kill is like breathing to them. These kinds of people come into safe neighborhoods and take “safe” out of everything. We do have to blame the people who started taking out prayer and discipline out of–basically everywhere! People get away with everything these days because of technicalities! We are not safe at all. I will pray for your family-for peace-and that they find these crazy people who have obviously never been held accountable for anything. God Bless all of you! Victoria
October 19th, 2007 at 10:34 am
I heard this story on the news last night and am just sick about this. I am praying so hard and have contacted all my family to do so as well. I am touched by Kayla’s mother’s strength as you can see this is a wonderful, strong family and I pray that this very strength pulls you through this horrible, tragic ordeal. Heaven got a lot brighter when God took this girl home. Hopefully, God will lead the authorities to the monsters(s) who destroyed her young life. May God bless all her friends and families and keep them strong.