4 Girls, Aged 7 to 18, Dead in After-School Program Accident — Details

The names and ages of the four children who died at an after-school program in Illinois have been released. Since then, their families have mourned the losses by sharing tributes on social media and recalling fond memories with the press.

On April 28, 2025, the Sangamon County Coroner's Office confirmed that four female students had died at the scene of a crash at an after-school care facility. The tragedy occurred that afternoon in the 300 block of Breckenridge Road in Chatham, Illinois.

According to a Facebook post, Sangamon County Coroner Jim Allmon confirmed that the children were involved in a car and pedestrian incident. Post-mortem examinations were scheduled for the following day.

The Sangamon County Coroner's Office, Chatham Police Department, and Illinois State Police (ISP) are working collaboratively to investigate the deaths. ISP reported that officers responded to the YNOT Outdoors After School Camp at approximately 3:20 p.m. that day.

At the scene, a vehicle had, for unknown reasons, veered off the road, driving through a field, and entering the east side of the building. It struck several people outside, continued through the building, hit more individuals inside, and then exited through the west wall.

According to ISP, the fatalities included four children: two seven-year-olds, an eight-year-old, and an 18-year-old. The victims were identified as Kathryn Corley and Alma Buhnerkempe (both seven), Ainslie Grace Johnson (eight), and Rylee Britton (18).

Authorities said three of the children were hit outside the building, while one was struck inside. Six other children were transported to local hospitals by ambulance, and another was airlifted and remains in critical condition.

The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was uninjured and taken to a hospital for evaluation. A witness's video showed scenes from the aftermath, with bystanders growing emotional as they learned of the children's deaths. A helicopter landing at the scene was also captured.

Taylor Godwin, a neighbor of the facility, told the media that he heard the crash. Recalling the moment, he said, "I went out back around our fence and had seen the aftermath of the building...The whole back of the building had been blown out."

Traffic along Walnut Street, from Park Street to Gordon Drive, was shut down until further notice. ISP later identified the driver as Marianne Akers, 44, of Chatham. She was not in custody, and toxicology results are pending, with the cause of the crash remaining under investigation.

Photos of Akers and some of her victims have begun to circulate online. However, authorities noted that the crash did not appear to be a targeted act. Multiple agencies, including ISP's traffic crash reconstruction unit, patrol division, crime scene services, and criminal investigators, responded to the scene.

They were joined by personnel from the Chatham Police and Fire Departments, Springfield Police Department, Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office, Sangamon County Coroner's Office, and other first responders.

After ISP released an update naming Akers, one person commented on Facebook, "If it was a medical issue, she should never have a license anymore." Another speculated, "You don't drive that straight on a medical emergency."

Concerned citizens reacted strongly, with one asking, "Why is she not in custody?? She killed 4 kids," and another echoing, "Lock her up...she killed 4 human beings." Since then, family members of the deceased children and their loved ones have posted heartfelt tributes on social media.

Jane Young, a relative of Kathryn Corley, shared several photos of the little girl on Facebook and posted a touching message. In her tribute, she wrote, "We lost our sweet KitKat in the Ynot Chatham Tragedy on Monday. Kit was a beautiful light in all of our lives."

She urged others to pray for their family and remembered Corley as someone who "loved her family fiercely," promising to love her forever. Young also included donation information to help the family during this time.

Corley's mother, Elizabeth Reid Corley, grieved the loss by changing her Facebook profile picture to one of her daughter. Likewise, Christy Johnson, the mother of Ainslie Grace Johnson, updated her profile with her daughter's photo.

She wrote, "Our beautiful baby girl has been gone for just over 24 hours…. It feels like it's been a lifetime already. My heart aches and I'm so lost….. please pray for our family." The mother invited those mourning with them to join on Friday, May 2, and thanked everyone for their continued love and support, adding, "Our community is so amazing. We love you all!"

According to Johnson's obituary, the visitation would be held on Friday from 12:00 noon until the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. at Springfield First United Methodist Church. Burial would follow at Horse Creek Cemetery in Pawnee.

Buhnerkempe's mother, Billie Buhnerkempe, honored her by changing her Facebook cover photo to one featuring the little girl. Speaking to the media, she described her daughter as "sweet, outgoing, silly and funny," and "a ray of sunshine everywhere she went."

"She loved her friends and family fiercely. She loved playing soccer, basketball, and doing gymnastics. She loved to travel, and went to 17 states in her short life," she said. She also mentioned that her late daughter had been a loving big sister to her autistic brother, Will, saying, "She loved him and supported him the only way a big sister could."

A Facebook page revealed that a memorial had been created at Glenwood High School for Britton, displaying her senior portrait. Another Facebook user paid tribute to the late teenager.

The tribute noted that Britton had been preparing to attend Iowa University to study English and Secondary Education. One of her classmates wrote, "One my favorite things about her was how she was unconditionally nice to everyone. She was super intelligent and always made people laugh." The post included two photos of Britton posing outdoors.

ISP extended "its sincere and heartfelt condolences to the families, friends, and Chatham community during this difficult time."

Unfortunately, these aren't the only children who died in recent weeks. As previously reported, a quiet morning in a small Ohio town turned into a scene of unimaginable sorrow. What began as a routine check-in by a family member ended with a discovery that would shake an entire community.

A tragic discovery unfolded on Tuesday morning in Clay Township as authorities confirmed the deaths of five people, including three children, inside a residence along State Route 7 South.

At 8:00 a.m. on April 15, the Gallia County Sheriff’s Office released a public statement on its Facebook page regarding the incident. According to the statement, the Gallia County 911 Center received a call at 10:44 a.m. reporting five unresponsive individuals inside the home.

Emergency personnel responded quickly. Upon arrival, they confirmed all five individuals had died at the scene. The sheriff's office noted that there was no suspicion of foul play.

Sheriff Matt Champlin addressed the community in the post, saying his investigative team was working to determine the cause of death. At the time, the identities of the deceased were withheld until all family members were notified.

In his remarks, Champlin acknowledged the gravity of the loss, "The loss of any life is sad, however, a tragedy such as this is truly heartbreaking." He urged the community to keep the affected families in their thoughts during this time of grief.

Just an hour after the initial statement, the Gallia County Sheriff's Office issued an update at 9:00 a.m., offering new details on the cause of the tragic deaths. Investigators, alongside the Gallia County Coroner, determined that all five individuals had died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

The gas, which is colorless and odorless, can be lethal when inhaled in enclosed spaces. According to the sheriff's office, a family member had discovered the bodies earlier that morning inside the residence.

The two adults were later identified as 35-year-old Brian A. Doss and 34-year-old Lora Schuman. The three children, though not yet named publicly at the time, were said to be ages 9, 8, and 5.

Sheriff Champlin reiterated the sorrow felt across the community, stating that while key findings had been made, the investigation would remain open. He emphasized the need to understand the full context of what led to the fatal exposure.

"This situation is one that we all hope will never occur," Champlin said. "Today’s tragic loss of life has shattered and changed the lives of many forever." Later in the evening, more personal details emerged. Phillip Doss, brother to Brian, who is the father to two of the children, shared his heartbreak in an interview with WSAZ News Channel.

He said he had gone to the house expecting to be greeted with smiles, only to find devastation. He revealed that a storm the previous night had knocked out power to the home. In response, the family had used a generator — which, tragically, was running inside the house.

Loved ones are now calling on the community to remember the victims not just for the tragedy, but for the kindness and warmth they shared in life. Following the tragedy, people have sent comforting messages online. "I just cannot imagine. What a loss to our community," wrote one person.

Another added, "How awful, prayers for all . Our community needs to join and pray for their family." Someone else commented, "My heart is broken . We are definitely praying."

As the community mourns, more details are emerging about the victims. Alongside Brian, his fiancée, Lora, 35, also lost her life. A lifelong resident of Gallipolis, Schuman was born on March 20, 1990.

She was known for her vibrant personality and passion for demolition derbies. Friends and family often saw her cheering from the stands, supporting Brian — known locally as "Adam" — during local events.

Schuman is survived by her daughter, Brooklyn Doss, and her sister, Donna McGuire, both of Gallipolis. She was preceded in death by her mother, Carolyn "Sue" Hayman, and now, heartbreakingly, by her fiancé and children, who died alongside her.

The three children have been identified as Phillip Hank Doss, Jr., Justin Jay "J.J." Doss, and Elsa Nicole Doss. All three were young, with their lives just beginning.

Their sudden and tragic loss has sent shockwaves through their family and the wider Gallia County community.

As the investigation continues, the focus now turns to honoring and remembering the lives lost — not only for the circumstances of their passing, but for the love and light they brought to those around them.