In a devastating revelation that has deepened the grief surrounding the December 13, 2025, shooting at Brown University, personal notes left by victim Ella Cook in her dormitory have come to light, exposing her private dreams of a future filled with love and commitment.

Ella Cook, a 19-year-old sophomore from Mountain Brook, Alabama, was one of two students killed when a gunman opened fire in the Barus and Holley building during final exam preparations. Known for her vibrant spirit, intellectual curiosity, and kind heart, Ella was studying French and mathematics-economics. She was an active member of her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, and served as vice president of the Brown College Republicans. Friends and family described her as a “bright light” – grounded, faithful, and always uplifting those around her.

The notes, discovered among her belongings in her dorm room, detailed Ella’s excitement about her relationship with her boyfriend. She confided her intention to marry him the following year, envisioning a life together after graduation. Unbeknownst to her, the day of the tragedy – December 13 – was the exact date her boyfriend had chosen to propose. He had planned to surprise her with a ring right after she finished her exams, marking the beginning of their shared future.

This cruel coincidence has left her loved ones reeling. Ella’s parents, already shattered by the sudden loss of their daughter, now grapple with the knowledge that her dreams of wedded bliss were on the verge of coming true. Her boyfriend, who has remained private amid the mourning, was reportedly preparing for one of the happiest moments of their lives, only for it to be forever overshadowed by unimaginable horror.

The shooting claimed Ella’s life and that of fellow student Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov, an 18-year-old aspiring neurosurgeon, while injuring nine others. The incident occurred in a classroom setting, turning a routine day of academic focus into chaos. Brown University President Christina Paxson called the victims “brilliant and beloved,” emphasizing the profound promise cut short.

Ella’s community in Alabama has been particularly devastated. At the Cathedral Church of the Advent in Birmingham, where she grew up as a devoted parishioner, Rev. Craig Smalley eulogized her as an “incredibly grounded and generous” soul whose faith shone brightly. Tributes poured in from classmates, highlighting her boldness, bravery, and unwavering kindness.

As investigations continue into the motives behind the attack, this personal detail adds a layer of poignant tragedy. What should have been a day of celebration – an exam completed, a proposal accepted, and wedding plans unfolding – became one of irreversible loss. Ella’s story serves as a heartbreaking reminder of how fragile life can be, leaving friends, family, and the Brown community to mourn not just a young woman taken too soon, but the beautiful future she had quietly planned.

In the wake of such pain, support has flooded in, with vigils held on campus and calls for healing. Yet, for those closest to Ella, the revelation of her marriage dreams ensures her memory will forever evoke both profound sorrow and the tender hope she carried in her heart.