Visitation, Funeral Service Set for Local Teen Killed by Boyfriend in Phoenix Murder-Suicide

Photo credit: Funds for Faith GoFundMe page

A 16-year-old Woodstock girl who was shot and killed by her boyfriend earlier this month in Phoenix is being remembered as a caring teen.

Faith Kies, a sophomore at Woodstock High School, participated in many school activities, was on the honor roll and was a member of the track and field team, according to he obituary. Police believe Kies was fatally shot by her boyfriend, 24-year-old Alexander O’Neil, on Jan. 15 in Phoenix. O’Neil then shot himself.

“....(She) held herself to very high standards, insisting that she receive As in every class,” according to her obituary. “She enjoyed being an office assistant at the high school because Faith liked to help people and she always did so with a loving spirit and a caring charm.”

Kies was also described as a “true artist” who “was exceptionally gifted by her talents.” She helped create the props for the school play last semester. She also enjoyed running in 5K events with her family.

“She will be missed by all who knew her,” according to Kies’ obituary.

A visitation for Kies has been set for 3 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday at Schneider Leucht Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, 1211 N. Seminary Ave. in Woodstock. A visitation will continue at 10 a.m. Thursday at Free Methodist Church, 934 N. Seminary Ave. in Woodstock. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m.

Kies’ organs were donated following her death to at least seven other people, including a baby who will receive Faith’s liver, the Chicago Tribune reports.

• >>>Faith Kies obituary

What Happened: Kies Reported Missing Prior to Shooting

Kies’ parents believe O’Neil came to Kies’ window on the night of Jan. 13 with a ladder and that Kies climbed down to meet him, according to the Chicago Tribune. She left a note on her bed that read, “Don’t try to come find me. I’m safe.”

Stormy Kies, Kies’ father, said the family had known O’Neil for two years and described him as a family friend.

“I don’t want Alex to be portrayed as a maniacal stalker ... that (he) climbed up to her window in the middle of the night and took her,” Stormy Kies told the Chicago Tribune. “My daughter made a choice.”

Faith was reported missing on Jan. 14 and it’s believed O’Neil drove Kies to Phoenix, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Arizonia police were looking for Kies when they went to O’Neil’s home. They made contact with O’Neil’s parents at the front door and a short time later, two shots were heard inside the residence, according to the article.

They found Kies critically injured and O’Neil with a gunshot wound to the head that authorities said was self-inflicted. Kies died at a Phoenix hospital the next day.

Kies is survived by her parents, Stormy and Sue Kies, and three siblings, Windy Kies, Savannah Kies, and Connor Kies. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Faith’s family for designation at a later date, according to her obituary.

A friend of the family has set up a GoFundMe page to help the Kies’ family deal with funeral expenses, and other unexpected expenses, following Kies’ death. So far, over $8,200 has been raised for the family.