JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tristyn Bailey was a 13-year-old cheerleader whose death rocked the St. Johns County community in 2021.

She was a daughter, sister, granddaughter, friend and much more to those she shared her love with, and her smile lit up any room she entered.

As her killer Aiden Fucci’s sentencing approaches, the Bailey 7, made up of sisters Brittney Bailey Russell, Alexis Bailey and Sophia Bailey along with brother Teegan Bailey and parents Stacy and Forrest – and, of course, Tristyn – will keep her legacy alive as they continues to heal.

“Over the next week, our family will be required to endure one of the most painful experiences of our lives,” the family said in a released statement. “Too often the victims of crimes seem to be forgotten in the focus on the tragedy of their lives being taken.”

Adored. treasured. Dedicated. Caring. These were just some of the words the family used to remember the teenager’s precious life.

“As the baby of the family, she is valued in every way,” Bailey said on the 7th.

The family shared little notes and thoughts about Tristyn.

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They said she was loved by her grandparents, had a close relationship with her mother Stacy and bonded with her through memories of happy weekends. She was also close to her four siblings and was the first to go with them when someone had something to do.

Tristyn and her older sister Brittney were best friends and kindred spirits…despite their 16-year age gap. She shared a deep love of animals with her older sister Alexis, who was also almost like a second mother to her.

As an older brother and just brother, the family said, Teegan brought out Tristyn’s serious side because they shared conversations about goals and aspirations and brainstormed how to achieve them.

Older sister Sophia and Tristyn’s relationship mirrored a yin and yang type of bond. When Tristyn was born, they spent all their time together.

She was involved in competitive cheering and was an encouraging light for her teammates. She was willing to take one for the team, as she would volunteer to fill in for her injured teammates.

Her family said she was a “constant friendly voice” to her classmates as she excelled at making connections and inspiring others.

Despite her age, Tristyn could relate to older people, something she learned through her close bond with her mother.

For Bailey 7, these memories are just the surface of what they can say about their daughter and sister.

“Tristyn made an incredible impact in 13 years, and it’s a travesty not to see what she would have done,” Bailey said on the 7th.