In 2016 Kaylee Sawyer, a twenty-three year old from Bend, Oregon was tragically gunned down by a security officer Edwin Lara working for the Central Oregon Community College. This event was her very bizarre disappearance followed by Lara’s surprising confession and horrifying information about the death. The family of Sawyer received $2 million in a settlement with COCC after this shocking incident that had affected the community.
Understanding Kaylee Sawyer’s murder is very vital in regard to several aspects. Initially, it draws attention to the safety issues on campus and encourages deliberations as well as modifications towards the students’ protection. The case sparked Kaylee’s Law, which emphasized the importance of addressing measures aimed at preventing such occurrences on college campuses.
Kaylee Sawyer’s Life
Kaylee was a student at the Central Oregon Community College (COCC) prior to everything that followed. On the late evening of July 24, 2016 she left her apartment at midnight and had a nice rest. However, she was abducted and brutally murdered on the COCC campus by Edwin Lara—a Public Safety Officer.
COCC, based in Bend, is a great community college that offers various concentrations and serves as an excellent educational hub for its region. The tragic events associated with the death of Kaylee Sawyer lead to significant changes in terms, proposals for making campuses safer and laws like – Kaylees’ Law aimed at preventing such incidents from occurring again.
The Tragic Event
Kaylee Sawyer, a 23-year old student at Central Oregon Community College (COCC), was kidnapped and murdered with excessive violence by Edwin Enoc Lara – a campus security guard on July 24th, in2016. With the disturbing details, it was very clear that Kaylee had sustained vicious injuries such as blunt force trauma and a fractured skull and strangling marks during the autopsy.
Edwin Lara then confessed to the crime, recounting kidnapping, raping and killing of Kaylee. Shock reverberated throughout the community, which resulted in a public outrage and calls for enhanced campus security. In the wake of this event, Kaylee and her family received $2 million from COCC.
The neighborhood mourned and also fought for the justice that resulted in the lawmaking. In 2019, the Oregon Governor Kate Brown passed Kaylee’s Law that sought to curtail the power of campus security guards. Such a tragic incident highlighted the need for many additional safety measures on college campuses, which was echoed by so many in the local community and started an even larger conversation about national campus security.
Trial
When Kaylee Sawyer was murdered in 2016, her family sued COCC on the ground that they did not do enough to maintain a safe campus environment. They argued that COCC should be held liable for Kaylee’s wrongful death, highlighting the responsibility of the college to ensure protection. The lawsuit sought to help Kaylee receive justice and also highlight the relevance of campus security.
In July 2020, the family and COCC concluded a $2 million settlement which marked the end of the litigation. This resolution provided a closure to the family after their painful loss.
Kaylee’s Law
Kaylee’s Law is a set of rules in some U.S. states. It says that parents or guardians must tell the police if a child is missing. The law is named after Caylee Anthony, a girl whose sad story led to these rules. If someone gives wrong information on purpose to hide where a missing child is, that’s against the law. Each state can have its own version of the law, focusing on protecting and reporting missing, hurt, or passed away children.
Changes Made at Campus
After Kaylee Sawyer’s tragic murder in 2016, Central Oregon Community College (COCC) took important steps to make the campus safer. They reviewed and changed security measures and rules to avoid such terrible events in the future. In direct response to Kaylee’s case, COCC updated how they handle public safety, showing a strong commitment to ensuring a safe environment for everyone on campus.
One significant change was the introduction of Kaylee’s Law, which focused on improving the training and behavior of campus security officers. This new law aimed to prevent similar incidents by setting clear guidelines for hiring and overseeing individuals in security roles on campus.
Remembering Kaylee
Kaylee Sawyer’s sad passing in 2016 deeply affected her community, leading to various ways of remembering her and profoundly impacting those who were close to her.
A special ceremony was organized to honor Kaylee, providing her friends, family, and the community a chance to fondly recall her. This gathering likely became a crucial moment for everyone to grieve together and offer support.
Kaylee’s tragic incident prompted lawmakers to create “Kaylee’s Law” in Oregon. This law set rules for campus security officers to prevent similar incidents, influencing safety practices in educational institutions.
Kaylee’s story gained national attention through a true crime podcast, ensuring her memory endures and highlighting campus safety concerns. Beyond legal and media responses, the community now has a heightened awareness of safety issues on campuses, fostering a sense of unity.
For those who knew Kaylee personally, the impact is immeasurable. Friends, family, and acquaintances may still feel the weight of her loss, with her memory shaping their views on life, safety, and justice.
Kaylee’s legacy lives on through these various efforts, not only shaping laws but also leaving a lasting impression on the hearts of those who held her dear.
