Murdered conservative influencer Charlie Kirk leaves behind a former beauty model wife, a 16-month-old son and three-year-old daughter.
Kirk, 31, the founder of Turning Point USA, died after being shot in the neck during a campus event in Utah on Wednesday.
As tributes poured in for the young husband and father, heartbreaking video has resurfaced of Kirk’s wife, Erika Frantzve, bringing their daughter to join him on set during a recent appearance on Fox News’ Fox & Friends.
“Hi, daddy!” the little girl exclaims as she runs towards Kirk, who scoops her up in a hug.
“Isn’t that the best?” he says.
Kirk and Frantzve married in 2021. Frantzve, 36, is a social entrepreneur, ministry leader and model, according to her website.
“From New York City to China, Erika has worked in the entertainment industry as a model, actress, and casting director, all while remaining grounded in her Christian faith,” her bio states.
“Her bold spirit and belief in God’s guidance have propelled her to pursue various impactful ventures.”
She was crowned Miss Arizona USA in 2012 and was a former NCAA Women’s Basketball athlete at Regis University in Colorado.
She graduated with a Juris Master’s Degree in American Legal Studies from Virginia’s Liberty University.
“Her bold spirit and belief in God’s guidance have propelled her to pursue various impactful ventures,” it reads.
“At the heart of Erika’s mission is her BIBLEin365 ministry program, which seeks to help individuals engage with the scriptures daily. She also serves as the host of the Midweek Rise Up podcast, a devotional series focused on Biblical leadership and empowering others to lead with integrity and purpose.”
She also founded PROCLAIM, a faith-based clothing line based in the US that “reflects her vision of empowering individuals to wear their faith with confidence”.
“Above all, Erika cherishes her role as the wife of Charlie Kirk and the mother of their precious son and daughter,” it reads.
“As she continues to grow in her ministry, leadership, and entrepreneurial endeavours, Erika remains committed to inspiring others to live with purpose, rooted in faith, and driven by the love of Christ in every aspect of life.”
Frantzve’s Instagram page is filled with gushing posts about her late husband, including heartwarming videos of him with their two children.
“My husband Charlie Kirk is a force,” she says in one clip. “He is bold when the world demands silence, he is fearless where others flinch, and he has taken on the battle of the next generation, changing these hearts and minds.”
She also shared with her more than 510,000 followers a touching video of Kirk buying their daughter little purple sandals, writing, “Thank you for being the best.”
Prior to Wednesday’s shooting, Frantzve shared on X, “Psalm 46:1 — God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Kirk was conducting a Q&A session from a pop-up tent at Utah Valley University in Orem when he was shot in front of hundreds of people on Wednesday.
At the time, he was answering a question about mass shootings committed by transgender people.
He jerked back and was seen cradling his neck as blood gushed from the wound.
The fatal bullet came from a long gun roughly 200 yards (60 metres) away, the NY Post reports.
Kirk was rushed to a nearby hospital where he underwent emergency surgery, but succumbed to his critical injuries.
FBI Director Kash Patel said the suspect had been taken into custody.
