DORI MONSON

Mother of 9-year-old killed in hunting accident: ‘She was a friend to all’

Jan 13, 2020, 3:01 PM | Updated: 8:08 pm

hunting accident...

Lauren Drawdy and her dad, Kim Drawdy, were killed in a hunting accident on New Year's Day. (Photo courtesy of Kay-K. Bowers)

(Photo courtesy of Kay-K. Bowers)

To order a MAGAbilly T-shirt, click this link or text “LOVE” to 98973.

Kay-K. Bowers of Colleton County, South Carolina remembers her 9-year-old daughter, the youngest of her two girls, as a bright light who had a smile for everyone.

“She met no strangers — she was a friend to all for sure,” Bowers said to KIRO Radio’s Dori Monson.

A well-rounded 9-year-old, Lauren Drawdy had a wide variety of interests that took her from the ball field to the music room in the same day.

“She was a little of everything, to be honest — she was my prissy little girl, but she was my outdoorsy one, too,” Bowers said. “She did cheerleading, softball, she sang in choir in school.”

Dori’s T-shirt fundraiser for South Carolina family mourning dad, daughter

In fact, the sometimes-tomboy, sometimes-girly-girl would carefully put on her makeup … to accompany her father hunting or fishing. In the photo above, Lauren can be seen proudly holding a fish she caught while wearing a princess-like dress.

It was while sharing one of these beloved hobbies that Lauren and her father, 30-year-old Kim Drawdy, lost their lives in a tragic hunting accident when another hunter mistook them for deer.

It was a heart-wrenching story for most people who read it — but one Seattle business owner, making a political judgment about the family based solely on the fact that they died in a hunting accident, posted a tweet celebrating their death and referring to them as “MAGAbillies.

Bowers has largely stayed away from the story, surrounding herself with supportive people instead.

“I’m not trying to upset myself with her ignorance,” she said of the tweet.

Dori decided to take the word intended to be an insult in the cruel tweet and turn it into something positive through a T-shirt fundraiser. People wishing to support Lauren’s mother and big sister can purchase a $20 #MAGAbilly T-shirt online or by texting “LOVE” to 98973. All proceeds go to the family.

“Thank you to everybody who has helped,” Bowers said.

The Twitter incident has not soured Bower’s view of Pacific Northwesterners. Instead, she was touched to hear of the T-shirt fundraiser.

“I definitely believe that there are many good people out there,” she said.

In a way, Bowers looks at the national attention the story has garnered as one last act from heaven of a little girl who loved the spotlight.

“I knew she was amazing to me, but I wouldn’t have expected it to go nation-wide as it has,” she said. “It’s very incredible … she loved attention, so I think she’s making her way around.”

Listen to the Dori Monson Show weekday afternoons from 12-3 p.m. on KIRO Radio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Dori Monson Show

Dori Monson

Dori Monson stage show...

MyNorthwest Staff

Watch: Dori Monson’s ‘What are the Odds?’ stage show

In 2019, Dori Monson hosted a stage show - 'What are the Odds?' - which introduced you to the people who helped shape his improbable career.

1 year ago

Dori Monson welcomes the Moose back to KIRO. Follow @http://twitter.com/Mynorthwest...

MyNorthwest Staff

A collection of the all-time best Dori Monson stories

With the passing of Dori Monson, a collection of some of his top stories to remember all the hard work Dori brought to Seattle.

1 year ago

Alaska, fishing...

KIRO Newsradio staff

Listen: Friends, colleagues offer tribute to KIRO Newsradio’s Dori Monson

All day Monday, KIRO Newsradio's John Curley talked to friends, news makers, and more in tribute to Dori Monson.

1 year ago

Dori Monson Shorecrest...

Dori Monson Show

How to support charities reflecting Dori Monson’s values, passions

In tribute to Dori Monson, learn more about how you can support these three charities which best reflect his values, passions, and advocacy.

1 year ago

From left, Producer Nicole Thompson and KIRO host Dori Monson. (Courtesy of the Monson family)...

MyNorthwest Staff

Broadcasters, politicians, coworkers and friends remember Dori Monson

Dori Monson, a longtime KIRO Newsradio host, passed away Saturday. He is remembered by public figures, broadcasters, coworkers, and listeners.

1 year ago

Dori Monson...

MyNorthwest Staff

Longtime KIRO Newsradio host Dori Monson dies at age 61

We are deeply saddened to announce Dori Monson's sudden passing on Saturday, December 31, 2022, at a Seattle hospital.

1 year ago

Mother of 9-year-old killed in hunting accident: ‘She was a friend to all’