Her love for soccer, dance, and family shone brightly — but in one devastating moment, a community lost a promising young stars. Here’s what happened on that heartbreaking night.
The Pueblo community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of 13-year-old Joeylin Kenley McDonald, who died during a Youth Kickback event at the Rocky Mountain SER Pueblo Empowerment Center & Resilience Hub on April 18, 2025.
According to the Pueblo Police Department (PPD), Joeylin reportedly fell 25 feet through an attic floor while participating in the Rocky Mountain SER after-school head start program. Officers responded to the scene around 7 p.m. and found the young girl deceased.
By April 21, authorities had confirmed that Joeylin had been with a group of juveniles when the tragic incident occurred. The investigation remained ongoing at the time of writing and police had yet to determine whether the case will be treated as a criminal matter.
RMSER issued a statement expressing deep sorrow, describing Joeylin as “a bright and beloved light in our community.” They acknowledged the tragic loss, asking the Pueblo community to join them “in lifting in loving support and deep prayer for Joeylin, her family, friends, and all who are grieving during this unimaginable time.”
Joeylin’s family identified her publicly and released an emotional statement highlighting her vibrant spirit. Her aunt, Caitlyn Valdez, described Joeylin as “the brightest soul in the world,” emphasizing her intelligence, headstrong nature, beauty, sass, sweetness, and work ethic.
Joeylin, a student at Connect Charter in Pueblo, loved education just like her mother. Her team was preparing to compete in the State History Day competition after a strong showing at regionals.
In a touching tribute, many of her friends at school honored her memory by wearing her favorite color, pink. Beyond academics, Joeylin had a wide range of passions. She had been playing soccer for 10 years, completing 20 seasons.
She most recently played for the Rangers, a team that is currently undefeated. Soccer was a significant part of Joeylin’s life, and she cherished every moment on the field.
She also excelled in the world of pageantry. Joeylin participated in the Miss Pueblo County Scholarship Program, where she was crowned Miss Spirit 2024 and finished as the runner-up for Miss Pre-Teen.
Her involvement in pageants reflected her dedication to community service, as she regularly participated in parades and public events around Pueblo.
Dance was another major part of Joeylin’s life. She danced for many years at Sarah Shaw Dance Studio, mastering a variety of styles including jazz, tap, hip hop, and ballet.
She had a recital scheduled for May and had been dancing since she was seven years old. Her passion for dance shone through on stage, where her elegance and energy captivated audiences.
Family was also at the center of Joeylin’s life. “She is extremely dedicated to her brothers and sisters, and you could never decide if she was a mama’s girl or a daddy’s girl,” her aunt shared.
Whether she was playing dolls with her younger sisters, checking on her older sister after a long day, wrestling with her big brother, or playing Minecraft with her little brother, Joeylin made time for each member of her family.
“She holds a special bond with each and every one of her five siblings. Mourning the loss of such a beautiful soul will be a daily task for the rest of our lives. Joeylin is one of a kind and will never be forgotten,” Caitlyn added.
A GoFundMe campaign was created by Joeylin’s family to help with funeral expenses and other unexpected costs following her passing. The fundraiser describes her as “a bright, loving, and vibrant 13-year-old girl who was taken far too soon.”
It remembers her as someone who “lit up every room she entered” and was “full of life and joy.” It also highlighted her recent honors and noted that she “embodied strength, spirit, and grace in everything she did.”
The fundraiser emphasizes that her passing left “an unfillable void” in the lives of her loved ones and asks for community support to ease the financial burdens during this unimaginable time.
Joeylin’s obituary further captured the essence of her short yet impactful life. Born on September 29, 2011, in Pueblo, Colorado, to Jeremy and Lauren McDonald, she was deeply engaged in her school and community. She is survived by her parents, as well as her siblings Jamysun, Landen, Loegan, Jacyann, and Jilyonn.
She also leaves behind grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins. She was preceded in death by her grandfather Gilbert Valdez and her uncle Lucas Garcia. A Celebration of Life was scheduled for 10 a.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Praise Assembly of God.
