Family shares fundraiser for 5-year-old girl killed in Graham
Aug 21, 2026, 6:00 PM
Alice Jo. (Photo courtesy of her family via KIRO 7)
(Photo courtesy of her family via KIRO 7)
A fundraiser has been started to support the family of a 5-year-old girl who was found dead in a Graham yard last week.
Alice Jo, also known as Jojo, was “one of the little hearts at the center of our entire family,” according to her aunt.
Her aunt said she was outgoing, energetic, creative, smart, beautiful, kind, and completely one of a kind.
“She was a true Gramma’s girl,” her aunt wrote.
Alice Jo happened to be in the garden with her grandmother last week when she first went missing.
The little girl’s grandmother called 911 to report her missing, and Pierce County deputies came out to look for her.
Deputies later found her dead in the nearby brush.
The deputies shot and killed an aggressive dog that was found near her body, but they do not yet know if it was responsible for her death.
“The girl had injuries consistent with a large animal attack,” Detective Josh Mills, a spokesperson for the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, said.
Neighbors told KIRO 7 the dog was a Cane Corso. The dog belonged to a family friend, Detective Mills confirmed, and had no documented history of aggression. Mills added that the girl had been around the dog multiple times in the past without incident.
“We want to make sure before we jump to conclusions,” Mills said. “The dog is dead either way. I mean, it got in the way, and we had to render aid to that little girl.”
One week later, the Pierce County Medical Examiner’s Office is still investigating the cause and manner of Alice Jo’s death.
“We are still trying to understand what happened,” Alice Jo’s aunt wrote. “The investigation and medical examination are ongoing, and we are waiting for answers. But what we know without a doubt is this: Alice was deeply, fiercely, and completely loved. She was cherished by so many people. She deserves to be honored, remembered, and laid to rest surrounded by the love of the family and village that cherished her so deeply.
“The expenses that come with losing a child so unexpectedly are overwhelming, and we want to give Jojo the beautiful goodbye she deserves while also helping our family navigate the unimaginable days ahead,” she continued. “We know that not everyone can donate, and we understand that completely. If you can help, any amount means more to us than we could ever express.”
You can find the fundraiser to support Alice Jo’s family here.
