Nearly $50,000 has been raised on GoFundMe and an Island Lake pizza restaurant will be hosting a fundraiser later this month for the mother of a 9-year-old girl who was killed by her father in Lake Villa.
Autopsies show Adrianna Anderson, 9, of Island Lake, and Christopher Anderson, 36, of Lake Villa, both died of sharp force trauma, according to Lake County Coroner Jennifer Banek.
A GoFundMe account started by Jaime Salvatore, who is a family friend, has already raised $49,000 as of Tuesday morning.
“Tears and prayers are appreciated but supporting Adrianna’s mother financially in her time of grief is also needed. There will be many expenses that need to be covered and by creating this go fund me at least we can ease her financial stress,” Salvatore said in the GoFundMe.
Salvatore said in an update on Sunday that Adrianna’s mother is “so grateful to each and every one of you who has donated, shared the post, or said a prayer for her.”
“The amount of love, support, and generosity shown in the last 36 hours is truly overwhelming. Donations and loving words have come in from friends, family, coworkers, and total strangers from all 4 corners of the country. Thank you all so much,” Salvatore added.
Adrianna was found dead around 2:15 p.m. Thursday in the 100 block of Briar Ridge Lane in Lake Villa after the Lake Villa Police Department was called for a well-being check on the girl.
Lake County Major Crimes Task Force Spokesman Christopher Covelli said the mother of Adrianna called police to check on her daughter after the girl was marked absent from school.
A preliminary investigation shows the child’s mother and father, Christopher Anderson, lived separately but shared custody of the girl, Covelli said.
Officers entered the home on Briar Ridge Lane and found Adrianna deceased along with her father Christopher Anderson, who was also deceased.
Police say the child’s mother agreed on Wednesday to allow Adrianna to stay with her father overnight.
“When the girl was not in attendance at school today, the mother attempted to call the father. After several attempts of not being able to reach the father, the mother called Lake Villa Police to conduct a well-being check,” Covelli said.
Police say that based on the facts and circumstances obtained so far, the case is being investigated as a murder-suicide. Investigators believe the father killed his daughter and then killed himself.
“This is an incredibly tragic set of circumstances and our deepest condolences go out to the family of the child. I want to reassure the Lake Villa community that there is no evidence to suggest there is a threat to the public,” Lake Villa Police Chief Craig Somerville said.
Nancy’s Pizza Island Lake, located at 527 Auburn Drive in Island Lake, announced they will be hosting a fundraiser to support Adrianna’s mother on February 24 and 25 from 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Those who order food for pickup or delivery should mention Adrianna’s fundraiser and 20% of the bill will be donated back to the girl’s mother.
The owner’s of Nancy’s Pizza said they will personally match the amount raised.
The deaths remain under investigation by members of the Lake County Major Crime Task Force, Lake County Coroner’s Office and Lake Villa Police Department.