ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. — In one tragic moment, 37-year-old Kenyeta McWilliams was shot and killed this week at her Elizabethtown home.
According to Kenyeta's family, the suspect is a stranger she was helping get back on his feet.
Police arrested 34-year-old Chris Bell Jr. an hour after the shooting.
"She opened the door for everybody, our home was open to anybody who needed help… she was there to help them," said Cindy McWilliams, Kenyeta's partner.
Family members told WHAS11 Kenyeta had a selfless heart, saying her main concern was always making sure everyone had a roof over their heads.
Now, they're shocked that someone so caring could have their life taken away so soon.
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Her family said she accepted anyone.
"Everyone, she wanted them to know they were loved," said Mekka McWilliams, Kenyeta's sister. "You could be a drug addict, you could be a killer, you could be whatever; she wanted them to know they were loved."
Family members said Bell, who is charged with murder, is someone Kenyeta helped from time to time.
They said things took a turn for the worst Wednesday night when she asked him to leave.
"He just didn't want to leave I guess and we tried to tell him to leave and close the door on him and locked it and we thought that was it," Cindy said.
Cindy said Bell being behind bars isn't enough to relieve her pain.
"I want him to feel the pain we feel especially knowing who she was," she said.
Cindy is grateful for the officers' dedication in finding Bell that same night.
"It helped me to see that her life had meaning," Mekka said. "I've never seen that many police officers out in the small town of E-town."
Now, the family is hoping for justice.
They have set up a gofundme for memorial expenses.
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