Friends, family honor slain Lithopolis family
Woman, her sons murdered in their home by husband Dec. 22
LANCASTER — Kiara Anderson had the personality, laugh and smile to light up a room. It was evident the world is now a darker place with her loss, after friends and family members shared stories about Kiara’s generosity Monday.
Kiara’s friends and coworkers organized a candlelight vigil Monday night outside of Applebee’s in Lancaster to give anyone the chance to share memories of Kiara and her sons Joseph Jr. and Jeffery.
More than a hundred people were in attendance, trying to keep candles lit in the wind while keeping “I’m going to miss that ‘good morning’ text from her I got every day at 9:30, I know our group chat won’t be the same. This place won’t be the same without her laughter or hearing her greet everyone in the morning when she comes in.” Amani Madison balloons under control, remembering the three people who were murdered by Kiara’s husband, the boys’ father, Dec. 22 in their home in Lithopolis. He turned the gun on himself before law enforcement arrived on the scene.
Kiara’s service in the US Army was commemorated with a 21-gun salute from the Lancaster Veterans Burial Detail during the vigil.
Amani Madison, Erica May and Alan Tolle were among those that organized the event. Madison said it was a good way for people to grieve together, and share their memories about Kiara.
“I’m going to miss that ‘good morning’ text from her I got every day at 9:30, I know our group chat won’t be the same. This place won’t be the same without her laughter or hearing her greet everyone in the morning when she comes in,” Madison said.
Tolle echoed her sentiment, adding the vigil’s turnout was what he expected, especially because of how well liked Kiara was at and outside of work.
“Everyone that met her automatically loved her. Once you knew her, it felt like you’d known her for 10 years. She had never met a stranger,” he said. “It was important people got the chance to share their stories, so we could remember how great she really was. We’d only known her for two years, but it felt like a lifetime.”
During the vigil, May told the crowd she was grateful so many people had arrived to honor the Andersons’ memories. Kiara had only moved to the area in 2019, but she had told May this was where she wanted to “plant her roots.”
“She really loved the community of Lancaster, and seeing everyone here tonight meant she was truly part of it, and that’s exactly what she would have wanted. She loved it here, and to know the community loved her back, it means a lot,” May said. “All she ever wanted was to support the community, so that’s what we can do to honor her. Give the love she would have given if she were still here.”
During the vigil, coworkers shared stories about Kiara, detailing her selflessness and how much she cared about others, remembering how goofy her two sons could be and how she loved them, and how she gave so much of herself to everyone else.
Levi Stanley, one of Kiara’s managers, shared that no one ever had anything negative to say about Kiara, that she affected everyone positively. She was a “superwoman.”
Kristina Dumas, Kiara’s sister, said she decided to attend the event at the last minute. She explained to the crowd Kiara was more social than her, but she felt she owed it to the boys and her sister to make an appearance. She thanked them for coming.
In an interview after the vigil, Dumas said she was “a little surprised” there were so many people there, but knowing how many people loved and supported Kiara and the boys, it wasn’t that surprising.”i was very happy with the turnout. I didn’t know a lot of the people here tonight, but I know Kiara was amazing and touched a lot of people’s lives. When I had heard of the event, I didn’t know how many people would turn up, but this was nice, for Kiara and the boys,” Dumas said.
Dumas explained that Kiara’s mother-in-law has been helpful. After some initial headbutting immediately after last Wednesday, Dumas said they’ve worked things out.
“And I need any threats towards their family to stop. I understand some people might think they’re helping, and they might be angry about what happened, and I get that. I was angry too until I realized the person to get angry at is dead, and it won’t help,” Dumas said. “We had a good conversation the other night over dinner, sharing memories and laughing. But at this point, I’m ready to go home and turn off my phone for a few days.”
“(Joseph Sr.’s) family is ready to help me with anything I need, and that’s what counts. I want people to leave them alone now, because Joe did this, not them. Find a more positive way to grieve.”
Barrett Lawlis is a news reporter for the Lancaster Eagle-gazette. Contact him at 740-681-4342 or via email at blawlis@gannett.com for comments or story tips. Follow him on Twitter @Barrettlawlis