A dream family vacation turned to tragedy after a Missouri wife and mother of three young children was killed in a horrifying car crash in Nicaragua.
Kasey Grelle, the high-powered CEO of a St. Louis-based marketing consulting firm, was killed in the crash on March 23 that reportedly took place on the complex of a luxury resort in Tola on Nicaragua’s southwest coast.
Two of Grelle’s young children were with her at the time of the crash, according to the 41-year-old’s brother, who announced her death in a post on social media.
More than 20 passengers were injured in the accident after the driver lost control while descending a hill inside the resort complex, according to local media.
“We are devastated to announce the tragic passing of my sister, Kasey Grelle,” her brother Andy Joyce posted on Facebook April 1. “Kasey was on a family vacation in Nicaragua and on a tour put on by the resort she was staying at with her kids, Kit and Julian, when the driver lost control and rolled the vehicle, killing Kasey and severely injuring Julian.”
Grelle’s 11-year-old son Julian was transported to a hospital in St. Louis and is recovering in the ICU with skull and spine fractures, as well as a collapsed lung, according to a GoFundMe page set up for the family. Her other children, 9-year-old Kit and 6-year-old Des, are at home with their dad, Grelle’s grieving husband.
Julian has been “cracking jokes with friends, watching the Cardinals, and tracking his March Madness bracket” from his hospital bed, according to the fundraising page.
David Grelle, the businesswoman’s widower, shared a devastating social media tribute to his late wife on April 2 where he posted photos from their wedding day and other memories.
“Don’t take a day for granted. Live your life. Love your people. We did. I’m so glad we did,” the musician posted on Facebook.
“I wish I could’ve saved you,” he said in another heartbreaking message.
The mother was described as the family’s “rock” by Juliana Rodas, a friend of the family who set up the fundraising page.
Rodas said that Grelle “carried the family” after her husband was run over in 2016 and nearly died.
“Kasey spent sleepless nights at his bedside — as his wife, caregiver, and advocate — all while nine months pregnant,” Rodas said. “After his recovery, she became the family’s primary provider while Dave continued to heal from chronic pain. Kasey carried her family through that crisis. Now she’s gone, and they have to carry on without her.”
“Dave is holding everything together while his heart is broken,” she added.
The GoFundMe page has raised more than $300,000 for the family, which will help them with Julian’s medical and rehabilitation costs, funeral expenses and counseling.
