TOPEKA, Kan. (KSNT)-The family of a mom and her two daughters who were killed in a house fire earlier this month sat down for an exclusive interview with KSNT News.
Just before 5 a.m. on Friday, January 20, a fire was started in West Topeka. The fire killed Genny Fitzpatrick and her two daughters, 9-year-old Peyton and 1-year-old Kourtney Tyler. The children’s father, Kyle Tyler, was later arrested and charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
“I was on my way to school, and my parents told me to go to my father’s house, and they told me what happened, and I started crying,” said Krissi Fitzpatrick, Genny’s granddaughter.
Genny worked at a Topeka McDonalds and Peyton was a fourth grader at Lowman Hill Elementary.
“Kourtney was just a kid. She hasn’t really had a chance to learn her personality about her,” Krissi said.
Kyle Tyler survived the fire and was arrested after leaving the hospital on Saturday night. Shortly after his first court appearance, the Shawnee County District Attorney’s office formally filed a complaint. Tyler’s bond is set at $1 million.
“He taught me to be strong. We were both very young and grew up together. She taught me not to be afraid of the big stage,” Krissi said.
The family has currently set up a GoFundMe to help cover funeral expenses.
“He taught me to be brave and despite all of that, he’s still teaching me to this day that I’m strong,” Krissi said.
