Famed Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling sent a letter to 15-year-old Cassidy Stay, whose parents and four siblings were killed in their Houston, Texas home in July by their uncle, Ronald Lee Haskell. Stay survived the ordeal by faking her death.
Haskell murdered the family after they refused to tell him where his ex-wife was.
Days after the mass shooting Casey quoted Harry Potter’s mentor Albus Dumbledore from the film “The Prisoner of Azkaban” during the eulogy.
‘Happiness can be found even in the darkest times, if one only remembers to turn on the light,’ Dumbledore told his students.
Shortly, a Facebook campaign was started to connect Rowling to the bereaved that ballooned t0 7,000 fans.
It worked.
Stay received from Rowling a hand-written letter in purple ink from Dumbledore, gifts that included a wand, school supplies, and a signed book.
“I know that my mom, dad, Bryan, Emily, Becca, and Zach are in a much better place and that I’ll be able to see them again one day. Stay Strong.”
Supporters donated 400,000 for medical expenses for Stay, but the family asked for people to now help others suffering from tragedy.