Memorial Service for Kimberly Osborne - Saturday, Jan 11
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Update from Tom Osborne - Obituary and Memorial Services for my little sister, Kimberly Osborne.
Kimberly Michele Osborne, aged 48, passed away on November 15, 2024, in her hometown of Morgantown, WV, where she also first saw the beauty of life on June 12, 1976. Known for her boundless generosity and joyful spirit, Kimberly's presence was a light that guided many through times of darkness.
Kimberly's legacy is lovingly carried forward by her cherished mother, Elizabeth Rose Gerard Osborne; her beloved children, Alexis Rose Payne, Madison Kay Lowther, and Tyler Thomas Byron Payne; and her devoted brother, Thomas A.J. Osborne and his wife Tracy. She was predeceased by her father, Thomas McClellan Osborne, yet she remained a beacon of the family values he instilled in her. A close-knit circle of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends also mourn the loss of Kimberly, whose caring heart knew no bounds.
As a self-employed healthcare provider, Kimberly was revered for her compassion and unwavering dedication to the well-being of others. Her innate ability to impart comfort will be greatly missed by those whose lives she touched. Her love for singing karaoke was matched only by her desire to uplift and support the less fortunate—a true testament to her character.
Friends and loved ones are invited to gather in memory of Kimberly at McCulla Funeral Home on Saturday, January 11, 2024, from 2pm to 4pm. A memorial service will commence at 4pm, with Pastor Kevin Cain honoring her memory.
Kimberly's warmth and kindness shaped the community, and her memory will be honored and cherished forevermore. Online condolences and tender remembrances can be shared with her family at www.McCulla.com. Kimberly Michele Osborne will be remembered most not just for her generous deeds, but for the generous spirit she embodied every day.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Kimberly, please visit our floral store.
01/10/2025 - The update I am about to share contains graphic information that some readers may find jarring. With regard to details about Kim’s murder, I have provided as much information possible without jeopardizing the ongoing investigation. One question that keeps coming up I have simply been unable to answer is the cause-of-death. Please know that it’s not a matter of transparency…the answer is yet to be established.
Unfortunately, we may never know the cause or causes of Kim’s death given the manner with which she was buried in a shallow grave only 1.08 miles from my mother’s home, where her body spent 7-months feeding nature and decomposing so badly that her remains required advanced forensic science techniques to confirm her identity.
It has been so difficult trying to understand how any human being would be capable of committing such cruel and purely evil acts against another human being….especially to a person they claimed to love! I only began to understand once I realized that only a monster would be capable of carrying out such despicably evil acts.
Fortunately, the State of West Virginia has a special place for monsters…and…thanks to outstanding work by the West Virginia State Police, FBI, Monongalia County Prosecutor and Sheriff’s Offices, the monster will be caged in a special place called Mt. Olive where he will spend the remainder of his life.
I know I haven’t answered the original question asking how Kim was killed…but, I hope this statement will help prevent speculations, rumors and social media activity posts containing distasteful and hurtful language and comments which my mama should not have to hear about or see after everything she has been through.
Respectfully,
Tom Osborne
Previous Story:
Authorities have confirmed that human remains found in a shallow grave only 1.08 miles from my mother’s house belong to my little sister, Kimberly Osborne. Kim has been missing for seven months having vanished on Mother's Day. Thank you to the donors who helped us try to locate and bring Kim home safely when she disappeared in May and I launched this fundraising campaign.
It truly breaks my heart to announce that we recently learned that my little sister is never coming home. She is never coming home because she was violently murdered and placed in a shallow grave only 1.08 miles from my mother's house.
A hunter discovered Kim’s remains on November 16 which were sent to the West Virginia Chief Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy. After an extensive investigation including forensic evidence obtained during the exhumation of her body, law enforcement officials visited my mother's house and told us that the remains found belonged to Kim and that she had been murdered.
Not long after that State Troopers arrested the evil coward who took Kim from us. He has been charged with first degree murder and will be given no bond due to the horrific acts he committed. The state has a strong case and there is a high degree of confidence that they will be able to secure his prosecution swiftly therefore he should never experience freedom again. He is currently being held in the West Virginia North Central Regional Jail...which at the risk of offending some readers...is probably the safest place for him to be.
I want all of you to know that remaining funds from this campaign and plus and new funds from donations going forward will be used for Kim’s final arrangements like the cremation of her remains, memorial services and other final expenses. All campaign funds remaining or generated after Kim's memorial services...well my friends...I am going to divide your generous donations among Kim’s three (3) children which she leaves behind.
Thank you and God bless all of you for your help and support.
May God bless & ease my poor mother’s pain.
May God watch over my nieces & nephew , give them strength and bless them with peace this holiday season. It is difficult to describe the pain it gives me to think that this will be the kids first Christmas without Kim. As silly as it may seem, I am still going to hang her Christmas stocking this year and every year until my time here is over.
Kim, I am so sorry I wasn't there to protect you and keep you from harms way like a big brother should. I want you and everyone who reads this to know that I won't stop until justice is served and Joe is locked away for the rest of his life.
Mama and I ordered a really pretty pink urn for you with butterflies on it, hon and will keep you beside Pop always! Speaking of Pop, Give Pop a kiss from me hon...and tell him that I love him, he is still my hero 100% MAN and the best father any boy could ever have! It makes me feel a little better thinking that you found Pop as soon as you arrived in Heaven and that the two of you will be together watching over us on Christmas.
I miss you, sis but I will keep you in my heart until we see each other again. Rest in peace, hon and try look in on me from time-to-time. Merry Christmas, honey...I love you so much!
Love Your Big Brother,
Tommy
(Readers / Donors, directly below is my original description when I launched this fundraiser before learning that Kim had been murdered)
Help Me Find My Little Sister
Hello, my name is Tom Osborne and I am reaching out today on behalf of my family as we are desperately trying to bring my little sister, Kimberly Osborne, home safely. Kim has been missing since Sunday, May 12, 2024. After spending Mother’s Day with our mom, Kim vanished and has not been seen or heard from since.
Friends, family and neighbors throughout the community continue working with authorities and media outlets. The West Virginia State Trooper leading the investigation made several attempts to ‘ping’ Kim’s phone, he reviewed video surveillance footage from residential security cameras & local businesses and even obtained records from Kim’s cell service provider, allowing him to conduct interviews with many of her contacts. Unfortunately, all attempts to locate my sister have been unsuccessful.
This terrible situation is taking a toll on my family. The pain & anxiety continues to grow with every passing minute…and…my poor mother, bless her heart, is absolutely devastated!
The funds raised through this GoFundMe campaign will go directly towards expanding the search for Kim. An expansion of the physical search initiated by the WV State Police is necessary given the circumstances. State troopers with limited resources have launched search & rescue operations but have been unable to locate Kim. Unfortunately, the target search areas are in remote WV mountain terrain locations, therefore this expanded search campaign will come with significant expenses to provide adequate resources for search & rescue personnel & volunteers.
Thank you for taking the time to read Kim’s story. Your prayers and support during this trying time are greatly appreciated.
With hope and gratitude,
The Osborne Family
Organizer
Tom Osborne
Organizer
Morgantown, WV