Vigil held for woman killed by husband

Kaylla Rihn shot, killed last October

SAN ANTONIO – It has been a year since Kaylla Rihn was killed by her husband. Her twin sister is sharing her story to keep her memory alive and to help other women spot the signs of domestic violence before it's too late.

Family and friends gathered Friday to hold a vigil in remembrance of Kaylla. 

Kim Rihn said she'll spend every Oct. 17 at Holy Cross Cemetery remembering her twin sister Kaylla, who became at victim of domestic violence at 22 years old.

"Everything was great, everything was fine, nobody thought anything. I didn't really see anything, everybody loved him in the family, nothing wrong," said Rihn.

Last October, police say Kaylla's airman husband shot her and then turned the gun on himself inside their Northwest Side apartment.

Kim Rihn said they had only been married a month. No one in the family suspected any trouble in their relationship.

"I think just one day he snapped," said Rihn.

Vanessa Rodriguez from the Battered Women and Children's Shelter attended Friday afternoon's vigil at the cemetery. 

"Domestic violence does not discriminate, it doesn't matter -- age, race, or gender," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez added that Bexar County has the highest domestic violence rate in Texas: 1 in 3 women in their lifetime will be hurt by their partner. 

"I'm just so proud of the Rihn family for sharing their story. Let others know they're not alone and to use this tragedy and to turn it into something positive to help raise awareness about domestic violence and to keep the beautiful memory alive of Kaylla," said Rodriguez.

Her twin sister said the most difficult part about losing her sister is celebrating their birthday without her. She said that's something she'll never get over.

"You were born with them, created with that person. It's not ever going to be the same," said Rihn.

She said by sharing Kaylla's story, she's hoping her sister's death won't be in vain.  

The Purple Run is scheduled for Oct. 25 with proceeds going toward victims of domestic violence. 

For more information on the run and how to spot if you or someone you care about may be a victim of domestic violence, just head to the Family Violence Prevention Services website