TL;DR
- Alexa Bartell, 20, tragically killed driving to see her girlfriend.
- A rock thrown from a car caused her fatal crash.
- Three young men were arrested and faced serious charges.
- Her mother shares the heartbreak of losing her daughter.
- Jenna, Alexa’s girlfriend, honors her memory.
In a heartbreaking tale that has gripped the nation, the tragic death of 20-year-old Alexa Bartell has left her family and friends reeling. Just moments before her life was cut short, Alexa was on her way to see her girlfriend, Jenna, a journey that would end in unimaginable sorrow.
On April 19, 2023, Alexa said her goodbyes to her mother, Kelly Bartell, with a promise of love and laughter ahead. But instead of the warm embrace of her girlfriend, she faced a horrific fate when three reckless young men hurled a 4kg rock through her car’s windshield, striking her and causing her to crash into a nearby field. The impact was devastating, and she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Kelly, who had raised Alexa to be proud of her identity as a gay woman, recounted the moment she received the call from Jenna, who had been on the phone with Alexa just before the tragedy. “When I heard her scream, a cold shiver ran down my body,” Kelly recalled. The chilling realization that her daughter would never return home shattered her world.
As she arrived at the scene, Kelly was met with the grim reality of her worst nightmare. Emergency services were present, but the news was already dire. “My girl was gone,” she said, her voice filled with anguish. The investigation revealed that the three men, aged 18 at the time, had been throwing rocks from their vehicle, a reckless act that had already injured others before it took Alexa’s life.
In the courtroom, justice was sought as the young men faced their charges. Nicholas Karol-Chik pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 45 years behind bars, while his accomplices received varying sentences for their roles in the crime. Kelly expressed relief that some form of accountability was achieved, but the pain of losing her daughter remains insurmountable.
During the sentencing in May 2025, Jenna shared a poignant tribute to Alexa, stating, “She was more than great, and she taught everybody to be great. She was kind, she was the sun in everybody’s life.” This heartfelt declaration encapsulates the love and joy that Alexa brought into the lives of those around her, a stark contrast to the tragedy that unfolded.
As the LGBTQ+ community continues to face violence and discrimination, Alexa’s story serves as a painful reminder of the risks that many endure simply for being who they are. Kelly Bartell’s grief is a call to action for all of us to stand against hate and to cherish every moment with our loved ones. In her own words, Kelly reflects, “I often think back to the night Alexa died and I’m so glad something told me to give her that extra hug.”
This tragedy is not just a story of loss but a rallying cry for the community to unite against violence and to honor the lives of those taken too soon. Let us remember Alexa Bartell, a vibrant young woman whose light was extinguished far too early, and let her memory inspire us to fight for a world where love prevails over hate.
https://twitter.com/share?text=https://www.thepinknews.com/2026/05/21/kelly-alexa-bartell-killed/