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.

Episode Transcript

(00:01):
The tragic death of 16 year old Kayla Love, a sophomore at Manly
Career Academy High School, has devastated Chicago's West Side
community and raised serious questions about police response.
The talented young woman, known for her culinary aspirations and
artistic abilities, was found brutally murdered at Horan Park

(00:22):
after what should have been a routine trip to McDonald's.
On March 16th, Kayla informed her family she was heading to
McDonald's but never returned home.
Surveillance footage later revealed she had walked hand in
hand with a teenage boy from theMcDonald's at Roosevelt Rd. and
Kedzie Ave. Minutes later, according to

(00:43):
witnesses and evidence, this same boy allegedly carried out a
vicious attack at Horan Park while two of his friends
reportedly watched the assault unfold.
The initial police response has come under intense scrutiny.
Officers received a 911 call about a fight in the 3000 block
of W Van Buren at Horan Park that evening, but merely drove

(01:07):
by without thoroughly investigating.
A dispatchers recording later revealed the devastating
possibility she could have been dead or dying when they pulled
up. This missed opportunity has led
to an internal investigation of the officers involved,
particularly troubling given theparks proximity just two blocks

(01:28):
away from Area 4 police headquarters.
The attack itself was described by prosecutors as brutal and
unrelenting. The suspect allegedly struck
Kayla in the face, knocked her to the ground and continued the
assault with his feet and a glass bottle.
She suffered multiple wounds to her face and neck, as well as
severe head trauma. The Cook County Medical

(01:51):
Examiner's office officially ruled her death a homicide.
Perhaps most chilling was the suspect's subsequent online
search. How many years can a teenager
get for murder? Investigators pieced together
crucial evidence, including surveillance video tracking the
suspect from the crime scene to his home, clothing matching what

(02:12):
he wore that night, and his encrypted social media handle
saved in Kayla's phone under boyfriend.
The 16 year old suspect was arrested by Area 4 Homicide
Investigative Support Team members and has appeared in Cook
County Juvenile Court where a judge ordered him held in
custody due to the severity of the alleged attack.
Kayla's life and dreams stood instark contrast to her violent

(02:35):
end. She excelled in her studies at
Manly Career Academy and held aninternship at Chicago's Gallery
37, where she pursued her love of drawing.
Her true passion was cooking andshe had been excited about
future college possibilities. Family members described her as
deeply loved and wonderful, admiring her creativity,

(02:57):
kindness and artistic soul. She loved music, decorating and
had been looking forward to pursuing her culinary dreams.
At a rain soaked vigil attended by over 100 people, loved ones
released black and purple balloons, her favorite colors,
while sharing poignant memories.Classmates recalled her

(03:18):
infectious smile and enthusiastic greetings, while
family members struggled to comprehend their loss.
I just want justice for my baby.Kayla's mother cried during the
emotional gathering. Alderman Jason Irvin has
promised accountability stating if the officers did not do what
they were supposed to do, did not follow procedure, did not

(03:41):
follow common sense, they will be dealt with appropriately.
The Chicago Police Department confirmed an internal
investigation was underway regarding the officer's response
to the initial call. The case continues to develop
with the suspects next court appearance scheduled for April
16th, 2025. Cook County Crime Stoppers has

(04:04):
announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading
to an indictment. The family has established a
GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral expenses, seeking
community support to give Kayla the memorial she deserves while
honoring her life and legacy. Kayla's mother's anguished
observation about the proximity of the police station, My

(04:26):
daughter and the police station is right there underscores the
painful questions surrounding this case about prevention,
response, and accountability. The three acre Horan Park where
Kayla's body was discovered sitsas a stark reminder of how close
help was, yet so tragically far.This senseless loss of a

(04:48):
promising young life has left anirreparable void in the
community, with Kayla's family and friends left to mourn the
future she'll never have. As one family member declared at
the vigil, Chicago, we're betterthan this.
You are a God of justice and we're praying for justice.
Thanks for listening to No Tearsfor Black Girls.

(05:10):
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