Ayla Garcia, a 36-year-old mother of four from Richmond, Virginia, died in Kenya after contracting salmonella, likely from consuming contaminated ice. Garcia had traveled to Nairobi on June 30 with her mother, sister, aunt, and uncle to support the Zion Family children's home.
Her condition worsened by July 10, leading to her hospitalization on July 11. The infection escalated into a life-threatening condition, complicated by her pre-existing sickle cell disease. The sickle cell trait made the salmonella infection more dangerous, causing it to spread to her bloodstream and affect her kidneys, liver, and blood. She required multiple blood transfusions due to dangerously low hemoglobin levels and underwent dialysis.
While her mother and sister returned to Virginia due to urgent personal needs, Garcia's aunt and uncle remained with her. Doctors at Aga Khan University Hospital had not cleared her for commercial travel, and an emergency medical evacuation was estimated to cost over $250,000. Her sister, Tabitha, initiated an online fundraiser to help cover the costs of bringing Garcia home.
Garcia posted a video from her hospital bed on July 19, expressing her desire to return home. Although her condition appeared to improve in the following days, with her family noting she was progressing and breathing on her own, she was not cleared for discharge. On the evening of Thursday, July 25, her family was notified of her passing.
Her family announced her death on the GoFundMe page, stating, "It is with a heavy heart that we share our beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, niece [and] friend Ayla has passed." They have launched a new fundraiser to help with the costs of bringing her remains home and for a memorial service.
Garcia, who leaves behind three sons and one daughter, was remembered by friends and family as a kind, funny, and faithful person who loved to help others. Zion Njeri, a friend, shared a tribute on Instagram, describing Garcia as a sister figure and a blessing whose faith never wavered even in pain.