Katie Garcia, a 42-year-old massage therapist, died on Saturday in a hospital weeks after she was found critically injured and partially undressed in her Kansas City backyard on July 30. The Kansas City Police Department has stated there were no immediate signs of foul play, but the investigation is ongoing, and the Jackson County Medical Examiner has not yet determined the cause of death.
Garcia's husband, Billy Taylor, offered his theory that his wife suffered a fatal traumatic brain injury from a fall. "I believe Katie fell and suffered the traumatic brain injury that ultimately took her life," Taylor said in a statement released by his lawyer. He described Garcia as his "best friend and the center of my world."
However, some of Garcia's friends and relatives have expressed suspicions about the circumstances surrounding her death. They have initiated a fundraiser to hire a private investigator to examine the events leading up to her passing. According to a statement on the fundraising page, the family is troubled by an unexplained six-hour window on the night Garcia was found, a forensic exam that they believe was not performed, and inconsistent information from investigators.
Garcia returned home from work on the evening of July 30. Her husband reported that he last saw her when she went to bed. Sometime after midnight, a security system recorded a back door opening. Taylor woke several hours later and found Garcia in the side yard, bleeding and without her pants. He then called 911.
Upon arrival at the hospital, Garcia's blood alcohol concentration was reported as .0400, a level that can be life-threatening. Her family is reportedly exploring whether she was a victim of sexual assault, but a rape kit could not be performed as Garcia was unable to give consent. The family fundraiser states that Garcia was found "unconscious in her yard with severe, unexplained injuries" and underwent multiple surgeries before never regaining consciousness. They made the decision to stop medical interventions after nearly a month.
Garcia's sister, Jennifer Trimble, and friend Nicole Bandera have voiced concerns about the perceived lack of thorough investigation, emphasizing their desire for justice and answers regarding how Garcia sustained her injuries. Taylor, while not believing foul play occurred, has stated he respects the family's wish for further investigation.
Friends and family remember Garcia as a popular and compassionate individual who was deeply devoted to helping others. Katherine McCleery, a childhood friend, noted that Garcia was well-loved in their community. Bandera recalled Garcia as a thoughtful friend who would call rather than text.