6 Years Later: Grieving Mom Reflects On Life Without Murdered Daughter

PORT WASHINGTON, NY — It's been six years since Jacqueline Franchetti has seen, kissed, and held her daughter, Kyra.

The bubbly towhead, 2, was Jacqueline's world. But on July 27, 2016, the Manhasset mother's world fell apart.

On that day, Kyra was murdered by her father and Jacqueline's estranged husband, 58-year-old Roy Eugene Rumsey. While on a court-sanctioned, unsupervised visit with her father in Virginia, Kyra was shot in her sleep. Rumsey then set his house on fire in what authorities said was a murder-suicide.

Jacqueline, who was embroiled in a custody battle with Rumsey, had warned a Long Island court that he was unstable and shouldn't be left alone with their daughter. The mother recalls being told in May, weeks before Kyra's death, that "it was not a life or death situation" she was describing.

She believes Kyra would still be alive if the judicial system had listened to her.

Working through her grief after her daughter's death, she founded Kyra's Champions to raise awareness about children involved in custody battles who she believes could be better protected by the family court system.

"My heart has been shredded apart and aches in a way I hope you never, ever experience," Jacqueline wrote in an email to subscribers of Kyra's Champions.

Now she's trying to help pass eight bills in Albany that were inspired by her daughter's story and has planned a rally to draw attention to the legislation.

The rally was originally scheduled on the anniversary of her death, which Jacqueline calls "Kyra's Angel Day." But the rally has been postponed.

"This day is always difficult for those who love Kyra, and I so badly wanted to honor her by joining all of you and speaking up for change in her memory," Jacqueline wrote in the email. "We are waiting for approval from the courts for the revised permit, and we are hoping to hold the rally on August 11th at 9:30 a.m. at Nassau County Court. This day holds significance as it is the anniversary of Kyra's funeral, the day I was forced to say goodbye."

She added: "Today, on Kyra's Angel Day, hold Kyra in your heart, and say her name. And, join us at the rally to help us usher in real and lasting change."

Patch's Peggy Spellman Hoey contributed to this report.