Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, offered a gesture of comfort to a stranger in tears during a preliminary hearing for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of her husband's assassination. The incident occurred Tuesday in a Utah courthouse.
As testimony in the hearing grew emotional, particularly when discussing the fatal gunshot, Kirk reached forward to hand a tissue to Denae Branch, a woman seated in the row ahead of her. Branch, who was with friends, was among those who had arrived early to secure a seat in the courtroom. They were present at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025, when Kirk was killed during an outdoor event.
Branch and her friends had formed a support group for survivors and witnesses in the months following the assassination. They told Fox News Digital they had arrived at the courthouse around 2:30 a.m. that Tuesday, having been unable to get seats the previous day. Prior to entering the courtroom, two women in their group were asked to cover or remove their Turning Point USA T-shirts due to a court order prohibiting messages of support for either side in the case.
"I went thinking I was going to support Erika, and at one point I turn around, and I see her just holding on to her sweet mother-in-law, and I like, kind of lose it and start crying," Branch said in a video posted to Instagram, describing the encounter. "Next thing I know, I feel a tap on my shoulder, and I turn back, and Erika is handing me one of her tissues."
Branch added, "She didn't know that I was there for her. ... But that's just who Erika is. She's good."
Kirk's family has been permitted to enter and exit the courtroom during testimony that might be particularly distressing. They reportedly left the room when the details of the fatal gunshot were being discussed during the cross-examination of the lead investigator. The Kirk family returned approximately 10 minutes later.
Robinson's defense attorney has cross-examined the lead investigator in the case. Evidence presented has allegedly included DNA from both Robinson and Lance Twigg found on key items related to Kirk's assassination. Kirk was assassinated on September 10, 2025, during an outdoor event at Utah Valley University in Orem. Erika Kirk declined to be interviewed on camera but shared in her Instagram post, "I hope she feels my prayers for her."