Woman Who Died In 'Murder/Suicide' Was Very 'Loving,' Mom Says

HAMPTON BAYS, NY — When Kelly Lynn Bray, 24, died in March after a shooting at her Hampton Bays home, she left behind her beautiful toddler and devastated family, who is remembering a young woman who loved animals, caring for others — and her daughter, most of all.

Both Bray and Jonathan Fava, 25, were found with gunshot wounds; they were taken to hospitals and were declared dead shortly after arriving, police said. Although Suffolk County Police called the incident a "murder/suicide," no new details have emerged and that has not been confirmed by Southampton Town Police.

The engaged couple's year-and-a half old baby was found safe in another room in the house, Southampton Town Police said.

Remembering her daughter, Stephanie Keech-Johnson said from an early age, Kelly always had a love for the outdoors, nature, and animals. "She could always be found climbing trees, playing in the woods, catching snakes, and saving animals," she said.

Kelly, her mother said, started dreaming of being a vet when she was about seven years old; later her goal was to work in animal rehabilitation and help injured wildlife. "She was always trying to catch different things to keep as pets," Keech-Johnson said. "One time she tried catching a mouse in the chimney to keep as a pet."

Growing up, Kelly had a dog, cats, rats, a bearded dragon lizard, fish and chinchillas, her mother said.

She was a familiar face at the many places where she cared for animals: the Long Island Game Farm, as a kennel technician at the Moriches Hospital for Animals, a veterinary assistant at Eastport Animal Hospital and the Westhampton Beach Animal Hospital, and a vet tech at Hampton Veterinary Hospital. She was the founder of "Peace of Mind Home Pet Care," her own business helping families care for their pets. Kelly was also a former medical technician at Turtle Rescue of the Hamptons; and was a member of Chinchilla Rescue Moms, her obituary read.

Her daughter, Keech-Johnson said, also loved Nascar, first attending the Watkins Glen International with her family when she was just two years old. Her family and she were longtime Jeff Gordon fans but as Kelly got older, "she decided she liked Kasey Kahne," her mother said.

Kelly, her mother said, "was very adventurous and did not scare easily. She has gone rock climbing, ridden the slingshot — and she loved going to haunted houses and deep sea fishing."

Her daughter was also, since childhood, a talented artist who loved drawing and painting. She'd also recently begun writing to pen pals around the world.

"She was a pen pal to total strangers who were dealing with depression," family friend Paul Freeland said. "She would send handwritten letters to strangers. I asked her why, and she told me that she wanted to let people know someone cared about them. She wanted to give them hope. She had a very kind heart for such a young woman."

She also was fascinated with ancient civilizations "and hoped to see all the wonders of the world," he said.

But there was nothing she loved more than her own baby girl, Keech-Johnson said.

"Kelly was an amazing mother and loved her daughter Amelia dearly," she said. "Everyone could tell she was a first-time mom. She believed in routines and schedules for Amelia. She would research products, to find which had the best rating, before she purchased them."

Since her tragic death, Kelly's friends have reached out to her mother, she said, to say "what an amazing friend and person Kelly was, to say that she helped them through some very difficult times. She would always listen and give advice. Kelly was a very caring and loving person. So many have reached out to tell me how missed she is," Keech-Johnson said.

Sadly, due to coronavirus, a celebration of Kelly's life has been put on hold.

"She was definitely a remarkable woman and loved by many," her mother said.

Freeland has created a Facebook fundraiser, "Kelly and Amelia," to help.

"Due to the recent tragedy we are starting this fundraiser to help pay for all and any services for Kelly Lynn and to also raise money for her daughter Amelia who is now without her parents," he wrote. "Please help make sure Kelly’s family and loved ones have a little less to worry about while they love and take on raising Amelia and as they are heartbroken and have to say good-bye to their beautiful and loving daughter and family member. All and any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your loving support."

To donate, click here.

"She is dearly loved and will be forever missed by all who knew her," Kelly's obituary read. "The greatest of these being her 20-month old daughter Amelia Rose Fava."

She is also survived by her mother Stephanie A. (Shane) Johnson of Dundee, father David R. (Meredith) Bray of Florida; brother Anthony (Autumn Mitchell) Johnson of Dundee; sisters Michelle Bray of Florida and Amanda Bishop of Rushville, NY; step sisters Amanda L. (James) Krielder III of Dundee, Michelle A.(Ben) Ingerson of Elbridge, NY; aunt Karen L. (Shawn Allen) Keech; uncles Ronald J. (Tracey Christensen) Keech, Carl Bray, Johnny McCormick, aunt Dawn (Tim) Kriegar; grandparents Judy Johnson, Thurman Bray, and Darlene (Tom) McCormick; great grandmother Doris Schichler; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Southampton Town Police Chief Steven Skrynecki said, at a press conference held at police headquarters after the shooting, said that several weapons, including long rifles, a handgun, and bows and arrows were found at the house. In addition, Skrynecki said that there was evidence of alcohol at the scene, which was being looked at as a possible contributing factor, while drug use was not.

Unlike county police, Skrynecki did not confirm that the deaths were a "murder suicide" but said it was "definitely a consideration."

A second female, 27, who knew the couple, was also in the home and unhurt, police said.

When asked if the shooting could be deemed a "mystery," Skrynecki said, "Something occurred there, yet to be determined."

Southampton Police detectives and Suffolk County police homicide detectives are investigating. Anyone with information should call Suffolk County Police homicide detectives at 631-852-6392.

This article originally appeared on the Westhampton-Hampton Bays Patch