Kayden Reese "Chunky Monkey" Hiatt, a five-month-old infant, tragically lost her life on November 13, 2015, in Jacksonville, Florida. The incident occurred in the Oceanway neighborhood and was part of a horrific murder-suicide orchestrated by her father, Gawain Rushane Wilson. Kayden, along with her twin sister Hayden Rose Hiatt and their grandfather Travis James Hiatt, were all victims of this tragic event. The sole survivor was Megan Hiatt, Kayden's mother, who was 22 years old at the time.
The events unfolded when Gawain Rushane Wilson, 28, shot and killed his twin daughters and their grandfather before turning the gun on himself. Megan Hiatt, who was also shot multiple times, survived the attack. She later recounted the harrowing experience, revealing that Wilson forced her to hold her daughters while he shot them, intending to destroy her world by making her witness the murders. Megan had to crawl through the blood of her children and the shooter to reach her father, who uttered his final words before passing away.
The relationship between Megan Hiatt and Gawain Wilson had been troubled, with signs of domestic abuse and control. Wilson had a history of violent behavior, including previous injunctions for protection involving other women. Despite these warning signs, the extent of his violence culminated in this tragic event. Megan's mother, Melissa Bateh, spoke about the unhealthy nature of their relationship and the control Wilson exerted over Megan, including restricting her use of a car and taking away her phone.
The aftermath of the incident saw Megan Hiatt advocating against domestic violence, using her tragic experience to raise awareness. The case highlighted the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of recognizing and addressing warning signs in relationships. The community mourned the loss of the innocent lives taken in this senseless act of violence, and the story of Kayden Reese "Chunky Monkey" Hiatt remains a poignant reminder of the need for vigilance and support for victims of domestic abuse.
