HENRYETTA, Okla. – Residents of Henryetta, Oklahoma, gathered at Nichols Park on Sunday to pay homage to five teenagers tragically killed by a convicted rapist last year. Brittany Brewer, Ivy Webster, Tiffany Guess, Rylee Allen, and Michael Mayo lost their lives at the hands of Jesse McFadden, who also took the life of his wife, Holly, before ending his own.
The community came together for a memorial motorcycle ride to honor the memories of these young souls. Family members of the victims joined in the event, sharing their grief and hope for justice in light of the heinous crime that stole their loved ones away.
Janette Mayo, grandmother to three of the teens and mother of Holly, expressed the pain and sorrow that haunts her every waking moment. She emphasized the need for more significant actions to prevent such tragedies from ever occurring again.
Nathan Brewer, Brittany’s father, fondly reminisced about her kind and caring nature, emphasizing the need for increased awareness and vigilance in the face of dangerous individuals like McFadden. Brewer, along with other community members, organized the ride not just to remember Brittany but to advocate for tougher laws to protect other potential victims from the likes of McFadden.
McFadden’s early release from prison after serving only 17 years of a 20-year sentence for a rape conviction sparked outrage, as many believe that had he completed his full term, Brittany and the others might still be alive today. Brewer’s tireless advocacy for stricter sentencing laws highlights the ongoing battle for justice and prevention in the face of similar tragedies.
Despite setbacks in passing legislation in Oklahoma, Brewer remains committed to his cause, hoping that national awareness and prevention measures will be put in place to safeguard communities from predators like McFadden. The annual memorial ride not only serves as a tribute to the lives lost but also as a reminder of the potential future that was cruelly taken away from these young individuals.
As the community in Henryetta continues to mourn and seek justice, the memorial ride stands as a beacon of hope and a call to action to prevent such senseless tragedies from devastating families in the future.