The grief within us has its own heartbeat…

Our family has been living through every parent’s and sibling’s worst nightmare—losing a child, a sibling, to a tragic suicide, and not knowing how to bring them home. After nearly 50 days of uncertainty, we are now facing the painful reality of saying goodbye while still searching for the closure we so deeply need.

Our family wasn't notified immediately—there was complete silence. We only learned of this tragic event three days later through a third party. We later discovered that Rylie was last seen at the Homestead Grays Bridge in Pittsburgh, PA on February 10, 2026.

Without answers, our family entered a long and heartbreaking period of searching. We struggled within a system that is not structured to help families find peace in situations like this. We took immediate action—traveling to Pittsburgh, searching for answers, and reaching out to the community for support. The response from the Allegheny County community was overwhelming. We are deeply grateful to everyone who showed compassion, shared information, and stood beside us. That support has meant more than we can ever express.

▶️ Watch CBS News Pittsburgh's Story on Rylie:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igfFbr95lrs

Fortunately, our prayers were just answered as we were notified that Rylie’s body was finally recovered in the vicinity of the Emsworth Dam in Pennsylvania. Finally, we have found hope and we are humbly asking for help to bring Rylie home and lay her to rest with the dignity and love she deserves.

Rylie Autumn Heart (previously known as Ryan Donovan) was a truly special person. She was one of the most intelligent, compassionate, and kind human beings you could ever meet. She had a rare ability to truly see people, and she made a lasting difference in the lives of so many. Helping others wasn’t just something she believed in—it was something she lived every day. Our family had the privilege of sharing nearly four decades of life with her, filled with laughter, deep conversations, and unconditional love. What never changed—no matter what—was who she was at her core: someone full of love, curiosity, and a genuine desire to make the world a better place. That is how we will always remember her.

We are seeking support to help cover the unexpected expenses our family is now facing as we work to bring Rylie home and honor her wishes. Our immediate need is to coordinate travel for close family members coming from across the East Coast to Pennsylvania, so we can be together, make arrangements with the funeral home, and carry out Rylie’s wish to be cremated.

In addition to travel and funeral costs, there have been ongoing expenses related to the search and legal process. These include legal fees as we work through the court system, as well as costs associated with public notices during the search. There are also time-sensitive financial obligations tied to Rylie’s belongings, including daily impound fees for her vehicle and outstanding housing expenses.

As a family, we are doing everything we can to manage these responsibilities, but the financial burden has quickly grown beyond what we can handle alone. We are a close, hardworking family without significant financial resources, and the growing costs of travel, legal matters, and final arrangements are more than we can manage on our own—especially as we try to support our parents during this time.

If you are able, we kindly ask for your support—whether through a donation, sharing this fundraiser, or simply keeping Rylie and our family in your thoughts. Your kindness will help us bring Rylie home, honor her life, and find the closure we so deeply need.

On behalf of our entire family, thank you for standing with us.