Community Corner
Woman Remembered As Selfless, Loyal After Owings Mills Murder-Suicide
A fundraiser collected over $35,000 for a woman's funeral after an Owings Mills murder-suicide. She was remembered as selfless and loyal.
OWINGS MILLS, MD — A fundraiser has collected over $35,000 for the funeral of a woman who died in a murder-suicide last week in Baltimore County.
The campaign supports the family of 59-year-old Karen Franklin, who is remembered as a selfless and loyal person.
Police said they found her dead in Owings Mills on April 1 alongside her husband, 63-year-old Gary Franklin. Officers said both had gunshot wounds. Authorities think one of the deceased people took their own life.
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Police said the shooting happened in the 3500 block of Avery Hill Drive. That's located in the Worthington Park neighborhood.
Jill Cohen, Karen Franklin's best friend of 34 years, started the GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses, burial fees and all other related costs.
Find out what's happening in Perry Hallfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The effort had raised $35,539 as of 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. The goal is $45,000. Donations are still being collected here.
"Karen was senselessly taken from us," Cohen wrote on the fundraiser page. "Every dollar donated will go directly to these expenses and to Karen’s family, including her three beloved children ... Thank you so much for your help, your kindness at this most difficult time is greatly appreciated."
The funeral for Karen Franklin, who had one grandson, was held Friday at Sol Levinson's Chapel in Pikesville.
"Karen was a selfless, sensitive, loyal, caring, and compassionate woman whose smile lit up every room. She loved being a Gigi. Karen was the glue that held her family together and her passing has left an enormous hole in the lives of everyone she touched," her obituary said.
Editor's Note: If you or somebody you know needs mental health support, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988lifeline.org. Domestic dispute help is available by contacting the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or visiting thehotline.org.
Related: Husband, Wife Die In Owings Mills Murder-Suicide: Police
This map shows the area where the Baltimore County Police Department said the couple was found dead.
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