Heartfelt help: standing with family after tragedy

*I've increased the fundraiser due to several reasons, the main one being a lack of income during this time as Tim was Army Reserves deployed but will be home instead of returning to deployment.

I'm starting this GoFundMe page for my sister Hannah, my Brother in law Tim, and my niece Amara and nephew Colton. They have been through an unimaginable tragedy (story below).

This fund will go towards the unexpected expenses and help to alleviate undue financial burdens.

Thoughts and prayers appreciated. (More info to follow as the situation unfolds).

On Sat morning, April 20th, 2024, Hannah Ybarra woke up to see emergency vehicles fighting a fire at the house next door. The house where her mother in law (Melissa) lived with her husband (Phillip) and husbands mother (Paula.) She rushed over to see if she could help, expecting to see her family standing outside the house. Emergency responders were working to revive the one person they had pulled out (Paula), and they didn't know there were more people inside until Hannah told them.

Although Paula was pulled from the fire, and revived, she later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital.

Hannah started calling family immediately. She was able to reach her husband, who was deployed, quickly. Hannah's mother, Ilene, worked with the Red Cross to get Tim home as quickly as possible.

Saturday was the wake of Melissa's mother who died a week prior.

In less than 2 weeks, Tim and his family lost his grandmother, mother, step father (an active father figure through most of Tims life) and his step grandmother (also active in his family.)

Hannah and Tim had moved next door with their young children last year. They looked forward to supporting each other and Tim eventually wanted to open a mechanic business with Phillip.

Melissa was 52. Phillip was 55. Paula was 80.

In an instant, their lives were cut short. An investigation is ongoing for the cause.

Your help is greatly appreciated during this tumultuous time.