PIEDMONT– A friend of CloeRae Jean McBrayer has reached out to WEIS Radio seeking greater awareness of an effort to bring the 21-year-old Piedmont native home to Alabama following her death in Fairbanks, Alaska.

The friend asked WEIS Radio to share the family’s verified fundraising campaign with communities across northeast Alabama.

According to the Fairbanks Police Department, emergency dispatchers received a 911 call at approximately 9:12 p.m. Sept. 16. The caller reported that a man had accidentally shot his girlfriend inside a Fairbanks home.

Officers found McBrayer dead when they arrived. They also found her boyfriend, 22-year-old Landon Lowrance, critically injured. Emergency personnel transported Lowrance to Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, where he later died.

Police said their investigation found that Lowrance had been handling a revolver and pointing it at McBrayer when he fired the weapon. Afterward, police said, Lowrance obtained another firearm and shot himself as the person who called 911 tried to intervene.

Detectives interviewed the caller and do not believe that person participated in either shooting.

Fairbanks Deputy Police Chief Richard Sweet told Alaska’s News Source that investigators believe the revolver contained one round. However, investigators had not determined whether Lowrance knew it was loaded.

Sweet also said the case remained open pending a final determination from the state medical examiner’s office.

Family Remembers Her Love for Others

McBrayer was born and raised in Alabama before moving to Alaska. Her mother, Amanda Hooper, told Alaska’s News Source that her daughter had a large heart and deeply loved her family and friends.

Family members remembered McBrayer as outgoing, joyful and determined. She participated in pageants while growing up and also played volleyball and softball and served as a cheerleader.

McBrayer had recently enrolled in college in Alaska and hoped to pursue a career in teaching. Her mother said she also had interests in cosmetology, fashion and design.

McBrayer was the youngest of three children. Her family said she and Lowrance had been discussing an engagement before the shooting.

Fundraiser Established to Bring McBrayer Home

McBrayer’s sister, Lori Hunt, organized the verified Support CloeRae Jean McBrayer fundraising page. The campaign names Hooper as its beneficiary.

Organizers said contributions will help transport McBrayer from Alaska to Alabama and cover funeral arrangements. The campaign had raised $22,486.10 toward a $35,000 goal through 147 donations as of Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 22. Those totals may continue to change.

The fundraiser was created Sept. 17, one day after McBrayer’s death.

In addition, Hooper said University of Alaska Fairbanks staff offered to cover her travel expenses if she needed to go to Alaska to identify her daughter.

Police described the deaths as a preventable tragedy. The department reminded the public to treat every firearm as loaded and never point one at anything the person handling it does not intend to shoot.

Anyone with information about the case may contact Fairbanks police detectives at 907-450-6500 or fpdinvestigations@fairbanks.gov.

LOCAL NEWS