Silent Battles and Loud Love: Surviving Loss While Raising Hope

 

Written By: Claronda Campbell Germany

Edited By: Felecia Causey

Photography By: Felecia Causey

 My name is Ronda Campbell Germany (Claronda Campbell Germany), and I am facing multiple significant challenges.

Tragically, my life has been further compounded by the recent murder of my daughter, Kiera Campbell, on May 18th, 2025, in Montgomery, Alabama. This senseless act of gun violence has left a five-year-old grandson without his mother. Kiera was a vibrant 26-year-old, a loving mother, and a hard-working individual who deserved a far better fate.

 

The circumstances surrounding her death, including the denial of my insurance claim for the damage to my vehicle (which she was driving at the time), have only exacerbated our grief and financial strain.

Beyond the emotional devastation, I am also facing significant financial hardship. I have been on disability since October 2022 due to illness (since January 2021), and my limited income makes it challenging to meet the demands of my dialysis treatment and the ongoing emotional and financial burden of Kiera's loss.

My focus now is on remaining strong for my grandson, providing him with the stability and support he needs as he begins kindergarten this August. He is a bright child, and I am determined to see him through school and into adulthood.

While grappling with these personal struggles, I sincerely hope that justice will be served in Kiera’s case and that a solution can be found to help address the escalating gun violence that has claimed so many young lives.

The recent loss of my daughter has profoundly impacted my life. Prior to this tragedy, I focused intensely on ensuring the well-being of my children and grandchildren, striving to create lasting memories and establish comprehensive plans for their future. The unexpected death of my daughter has led me to re-evaluate my priorities and strengthen my resolve. I am now driven by the need to seek justice for her and to provide unwavering support to my grandson, who has lost his mother. My commitment is to be a strong role model and caregiver for him, ensuring he thrives and fulfills his potential.

My grief is a daily companion, though I strive to maintain strength, often processing my emotions privately. The emotional toll of losing my daughter, following the previous losses of my parents eight months apart when I was 27, has been immense. My daughter and I shared a special bond, a unique connection marked by similar personalities, ambitions, and humor. She was my best friend, my confidante, and the source of immense joy in my life.

Currently, I face significant health challenges. I am in need of a kidney transplant to ensure my continued presence in my grandson's life. I am type O positive and require a living donor. If you are interested in learning more about becoming a living kidney donor, please visit the UAB Hospital website and complete the living kidney donor screening form using my name, Claronda Germany, and date of birth, 04/02/79.

My health conditions include diabetes, fibromyalgia, and neuropathy affecting my hands, arms, feet, and legs. These conditions, combined with my emotional distress, often make even simple tasks challenging. Despite these hurdles, I remain resolute in my dedication to my grandson and my ongoing pursuit of justice for my daughter. I continue to navigate the complexities of my divorce, seeking closure while maintaining my focus on my family’s needs. The support of my former husband, who remains a close friend and my children's stepdad, has been invaluable during this difficult time. Looking ahead, I am learning from past mistakes, focusing on creating a brighter future for my family and myself.

The most agonizing part of this tragedy is the knowledge that my daughter felt unable to confide in me about the threats she faced. I had always encouraged open communication with my children, and the fact that she didn’t reach out to me for help is something I grapple with constantly. I yearn for answers, for clues that might lead to those responsible for her murder. I know she placed her trust in the wrong people, and I deeply regret that she couldn't come to me in her time of need. I wish, more than anything, that she could still be here to tell her story.

This loss has shattered me, and I am struggling to find a path forward. My daughter’s life should not have ended like this. She was kind, joyful, and a loving mother. She did nothing to deserve such a violent end. I will not find peace until those responsible are held accountable. I implore anyone with information to come forward.

I urge all parents to stay closely connected with their children, to be aware of their lives and whereabouts, and to openly communicate with them, especially if they suspect something is wrong. The use of location tracking technology has unfortunately become a necessity in my life. I encourage parents to take similar steps. I also appeal to young people to put down guns and to urge policymakers to enact stricter gun control laws. This senseless violence must stop.