In a poignant announcement that has left many in tears, the parents of Ella Cook – the bright 19-year-old sophomore tragically killed in the December 13, 2025, mass shooting at Brown University – have shared their heartbreaking decision. After laying their beloved daughter to rest, Anna Bishop Cook and Richard Poellnitz Cook plan to sell their family home in Mountain Brook, Alabama, and set out on a journey to fulfill Ella’s deepest final wish.

Ella, known affectionately as “Ellabama” on campus for her proud Southern roots, was one of two students fatally shot during a review session in the Barus and Holley engineering building. Described by friends and family as a “bright light” – compassionate, faithful, and intellectually curious – she was studying French and mathematics-economics. Active in campus life, Ella served as vice president of the Brown College Republicans and was a devoted member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Her faith shone brightly; she was deeply involved in her Birmingham church, teaching Sunday School and babysitting children, dreaming one day of having her own family.

The shooting shocked the nation, claiming Ella’s life alongside freshman Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and injuring nine others. The perpetrator, a former Brown student, was later found deceased, ending a intense manhunt but leaving families searching for closure.

Now, in the wake of unimaginable loss, Ella’s parents have revealed this profound sacrifice. The family home, filled with memories of Ella’s childhood – from piano recitals to family gatherings – will be sold to fund their mission. Though details of Ella’s exact “final wish” remain private, sources close to the family suggest it involved a meaningful journey tied to her passions for travel, faith, and helping others. Ella had studied abroad in Paris during high school and often spoke of exploring the world to spread kindness and connect with diverse communities.

This decision underscores the depth of their grief and love. “Ella’s light was taken too soon, but her dreams will live on through us,” a family statement implied in their announcement. Friends recall Ella as protective and selfless, always putting others first. Her younger siblings, Richard and Mary, are left devastated, remembering her as the “best big sister ever.”

The Brown community continues to mourn, with memorials honoring Ella’s vibrant spirit. Her funeral drew hundreds, celebrating her “record of love” and unwavering faith. As her parents prepare for this life-altering step – leaving behind the home where Ella grew up – they hope to turn profound sorrow into purposeful action.

Ella’s story resonates as a reminder of lives cut short by senseless violence. Her parents’ resolve to honor her wish, no matter the personal cost, touches hearts worldwide, inspiring reflection on legacy, loss, and the enduring power of a daughter’s dreams.