GoFundMe set up to help children of woman killed by fallen tree branch

UPPER ST. CLAIR, Pa. — A GoFundMe page has been set up to help two children of a woman who was killed while hiking with her husband Thursday evening when she was struck by a fallen tree branch.

Kara Leo, a beloved wife, mom of two boys and local business owner, passed away Friday after the tragic accident.

Leo was hiking along the Morton Ravine Trail in Upper St. Clair’s Boyce Mayview Park with her husband Thursday night when a tree branch fell and struck them.

Kara didn’t survive her injuries. Her husband is in critical condition.

“When I first heard, I couldn’t do anything. I just stopped and I was crying and I had to pull myself together,” explained Theresa Luster, a friend and employee at Leo’s business.

On Beverly Road in Mt. Lebanon, the storefront of Kara’s bakery has a sign reading “closed until further notice.”

Employees and neighboring business owners fought through tears telling Channel 11 what Leo meant to them and the community.

“I got a call at 7 o’clock in the morning that confirms everything and confirmed the news we heard the night before. Just unbelievable,” friend and business owner Jeff Iovino said.

While her friends work to process this sudden news, they’re praying for Kara’s two little boys, Oliver and Owen, and for Kara’s husband who is still fighting for his life in the hospital.

Those who knew Kara best say they want to be more like her and lead with kindness and joy.

“If someone could live their life like Kara, the world would be a better place,” Luster said.

As for what’s next for Kara’s business, it’s too soon to know. Kara’s business was booming. She was booked all weekend for events and weddings. And in an instant, her family is now mourning her death.

While the future of the family business is still up in the air, Iovino said Jared and Kara’s boys will get the full and long-term support they need.

A GoFundMe has been created to help with expenses.

“This isn’t going to be something we do now, this is going to be something that, you know, we take care of for years. It’s just gonna be the long term of trying to help them out,” Iovino said.

The goal for the GoFundMe page to help the Leo family was $125,000. Today it’s over $150,000.

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