On July 27, 2016, two-year-old Kyra Franchetti was tragically killed by her father, 58-year-old Roy Eugene Rumsey, in a horrific murder-suicide in Fairfax, Virginia. The little girl was on a court-sanctioned, unsupervised visit with Rumsey when he shot her twice in the back as she slept. After taking his daughter's life, Rumsey set his house on fire and then took his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Authorities found multiple gas cans throughout the home, indicating the fire was intentionally set.
The devastating event occurred amidst a contentious custody battle between Kyra's mother, Jacqueline Franchetti, and Rumsey. Franchetti had repeatedly warned the Nassau County Family Court in New York about Rumsey's abusive, threatening, and unstable behavior. She had expressed fears for her and her daughter's safety, detailing his verbal and emotional abuse, as well as his suicidal threats. Despite her pleas and evidence of his dangerous behavior, a judge disregarded her concerns, stating the situation was 'not a life-or-death situation' just weeks before Kyra's murder. The court had granted Rumsey joint custody.
Child Protective Services had also been involved in Kyra's case, noting Rumsey's 'extreme anger and rage issues.' However, they ultimately concluded the situation was 'low risk' and that there was no domestic violence. Rumsey had purchased two guns when Kyra was only six months old, one of which was used in the murder-suicide.
In the aftermath of her daughter's death, Jacqueline Franchetti became a vocal advocate for changes in the family court system to better protect children. She founded the Kyra Franchetti Foundation and an organization called Kyra's Champions to push for legislative reform. Her efforts have been focused on the passage of 'Kyra's Law,' which aims to make child safety the top priority in custody cases and mandate training for judges on family violence.
