MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The friends and community of Tiana Dye are raising funds to support her family after the 21-year-old Clayton County native's tragic stabbing death in Alabama.
Dye, who was a rising senior at Alabama State University in Montgomery, was stabbed on July 14 and was sent to the hospital, where she died from her injuries.
Dye was set to graduate with a degree in biochemistry in the spring and was also a member of the honor society and campus NAACP chapter, according to family.
A GoFundMe has been launched to support her family and go towards funeral services. It had raised just north of $3,500 as of Thursday morning toward a goal of $15,000. You can find it here.
The GoFundMe post remembers Dye as a promising student and active member of the Alabama State community who was "consistently demonstrating her commitment to academic excellence and social justice."
"Her hard work and perseverance earned her a spot on the Dean’s list, reflecting her exceptional dedication to her studies. Balancing her academic responsibilities, she also worked to support herself, embodying the spirit of resilience and determination," the GoFundMe states. "Tiana Dye leaves behind a legacy of achievement and inspiration for her peers and community."
11Alive spoke to Dye's mother, Danielle Luckett, who said the news of her daughter's death was "the worst day of my life. And it still is."
The mother has been grappling with the pain of having not been able to protect her daughter due to being in a different state.
"My heart breaks because I couldn't help her," Luckett said. "I don't know how to live forward knowing I'll never see my child again —ever."
Investigators have not announced a person of interest, an arrest or a suspect.
Luckett said she has Ring camera video of the entire day from where her daughter lived off campus. She also said her daughter communicated with her constantly. So, Luckett knew something was wrong.
"I have footage of her putting the knife on the porch and talking on the phone to somebody," Luckett said.
11Alive has chosen not to share the footage.
"This does not seem like any accident or self-defense. I see my daughter being murdered and it being intentional," Luckett said. "And something has to be done."
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 215-STOP, Secret Witness at 625-4000 or MPD at 625-2831. To help support Dye's family and help pay for funeral expenses, click here.
11Alive's More Than a Number series seeks to humanize crime coverage by "giving a face to the victim and a voice to the family." If you would like to honor a loved one you lost, you can use the form below or email us at MoreThanANumber@11alive.com to tell us about them, and we will add them to our memorial page.