The family of a former University of Kansas football player, who prosecutors say was killed by her partner, are speaking out, sharing memories of Regan Gibbs and a warning for anyone suspected of domestic abuse. A loving daughter, sister, friend and teammate. “Regan brought passion and kindness to everyone she met and to everything she did,” said her mother, Kristin Gibbs. This is how she and the rest of Regan’s family want the former KU goalkeeper to be remembered. She and Regan’s four younger sisters traveled to Lawrence from Arizona after hearing the devastating news of her death. Police say she was killed in an act of domestic violence on Monday evening. “During her life, Regan willingly gave everything she had to bring joy to others,” said Regan’s sister, Madelyn. The family are still grappling with the news of Regan’s death, after police say Chad Marek killed himself in their Lawrence apartment. Her mother says the two were not legally married, although Lawrence police say they lived together as husband and wife. Once Chad and Regan were together, his mother noticed some disturbing behavior. “Her phone no longer worked. Conversations were limited to her phone, but on speakerphone no video was allowed,” she said, “and his control over her became clear over the course of the one and only time we’ve met him. control. “He manipulated her by her faith. He slowly isolated her from people who were expressing concern,” Kristin said. “I’m sure the many people who have had a loved one involved in a similar situation can understand the frustration of watching it happen feeling helpless but never expecting this kind of tragic end.” She stressed the importance of intervention if you see warning signs “Don’t ignore them, please. Don’t ignore any of them. Go strong after this warning,” she said. “I hope and pray that someone ‘one is helped through this.” Regan’s family says she always puts others first. with emotion. “Regan was really interested in getting to know you,” said her sister, Ashlyn Gibbs. “She didn’t care how you looked or what other people thought. She saw the good in everyone. These qualities fueled her passion for helping the homeless and those with mental health issues. She had worked in behavioral health at a hospital in Arizona and planned to start a PA school. Ashlyn said despite the unthinkable loss, Regan’s light still shines. “He won’t take it away or the good that she has done,” she said. Regan’s sister, Madelyn Gibbs, says that although she lost her best friend, she believes ‘she was and is finally at peace, and that her voice and her memory would live on in the people she touched’ . Chad Marek is charged with first degree murder. He is being held on $1 million bail. A trial hearing is set for May 24.
The family of a former University of Kansas football player, who prosecutors say was killed by her partner, are speaking out, sharing memories of Regan Gibbs and a warning for anyone suspected of domestic abuse.
A loving daughter, sister, friend and teammate. “Regan brought passion and kindness to everyone she met and to everything she did,” said her mother, Kristin Gibbs. This is how she and the rest of Regan’s family want the former KU goalie to be remembered.
She and Regan’s four younger sisters traveled to Lawrence from Arizona after hearing the devastating news of her death. Police say she was killed in an act of domestic violence on Monday evening.
“During her life, Regan willingly gave everything she had to bring joy to others,” said Regan’s sister, Madelyn.
The family are still grappling with the news of Regan’s death, after police say Chad Marek killed himself in their Lawrence apartment. Her mother says the two were not legally married, although Lawrence police say they lived together as husband and wife.
Once Chad and Regan were together, his mother noticed some disturbing behavior. “Her phone no longer worked. Conversations were limited to her phone, but on speakerphone no video was allowed,” she said, “and his control over her became clear over the course of the one and only time we met him.
She pleaded with others to be aware of red flags like isolation and control.
“He manipulated her by his faith. He slowly isolated her from people who expressed concern,” Kristin said.
“I’m sure the many people who have had a loved one involved in a similar situation can understand the frustration of watching it happen feeling helpless but never expecting this kind of tragic end.”
She stressed the importance of intervention if you see warning signs.
“Don’t ignore them, please. Don’t ignore any. Go strong after this warning,” she said. “I hope and pray that someone is helped through this.”
Regan’s family say she always puts others first.
“She reached out to the new students at the school just to make sure they felt welcome and weren’t alone,” Kristin said, her voice filled with emotion.
“Regan was really interested in getting to know you,” said her sister, Ashlyn Gibbs. “She didn’t care how you looked or what other people thought. She saw the good in everyone.
These qualities fueled her passion for helping the homeless and those with mental health issues. She had worked in behavioral health at a hospital in Arizona and planned to start a PA school.
Ashlyn said despite the unthinkable loss, Regan’s light still shines.
“He won’t take it away or the good that she has done,” she said.
Regan’s sister, Madelyn Gibbs, says that although she lost her best friend, she believes ‘she was and is finally at peace, and that her voice and her memory would live on in the people she touched’ .
Chad Marek is charged with first degree murder. He is being held on $1 million bail. A trial hearing is set for May 24.