The Daviess County Circuit courtroom was filled Friday morning as friends, family, and supporters of 16-year-old Gay Mee Paw gathered for the final sentencing of the teenager who took her life. Many wore purple — a symbol of domestic violence awareness — and listened through tears as those closest to Paw shared memories of her life and the pain left in her absence.
Jeremiah T. Byrd, now 18, was 16 when he fatally shot Paw and left her body in a ditch near Ben Hawes Park on June 21, 2023. He pleaded guilty in March to charges of murder, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a handgun by a minor. Byrd’s sentencing on May 23, 2025, brought the legal case to a close and offered a chance for Paw’s family to share the impact of her loss.
‘It’s dark, because she’s gone.’
Peter Hurley, who along with his wife Ashley had guardianship of Paw since December 2022, told the courtroom about the girl who had become part of their family.
“She was a student in my wife’s class (years ago),” he said. “Over the course of 10-plus years, she came to countless holidays. … Halloween was her favorite. She came over every single year. She loved getting dressed up, and everybody would go trick-or-treating.”
Hurley described a home filled with laughter, birthdays, swimming lessons, and family vacations — memories now rendered unbearably painful.
He described his morning routine, saying that Paw slept with a lamp on that would illuminate the downstairs hallway.
“Ever since what he did, I still have that same routine, but when I go downstairs and I turn the corner, that hallway is dark,” Hurley said. “The first coherent thought I have every day is when I turn the corner, it’s dark, and it’s dark because she’s gone.”
‘She stole my heart.’
Ashlie Hurley spoke next, showing the judge photographs of Paw with her daughter Charlotte. Hurley’s voice was gentle, but her words were piercing.
“She was just like a beam of light,” Hurley said of Paw. “She was such a, what we call like a little mama, she took care of everyone in the class and took care of her brothers and her friends. … She loved unconditionally, and she loved everyone too.”
Ashley described the milestones Gay Mee should have reached — picking out a prom dress, graduating high school, planning her future. Instead, they buried her.
“These were supposed to be some of the happiest, most exciting years for her — and for us,” Hurley said. “Instead, we are left with unbearable silence. Instead of celebrating milestones, we are visiting a gravesite. Instead of watching her future unfold, we are left grieving what could have been, what should have been.”
Speaking directly to Byrd, Hurley said: “We trusted you. You were someone we welcomed, someone we never imagined would be capable of doing something so cruel, so devastating. … You didn’t just take Gay Mee’s life. You shattered countless others. … I hope you sit with that knowledge for the rest of your life.”
‘She was my reason for everything.’
A statement from Gay Mee’s biological father, Mee Reh, was read aloud by Commonwealth’s Attorney Mike Van Meter.
“I was born and raised in a refugee camp in Thailand,” it read. “I dreamed of coming to America — not for myself, but for my children. … I wanted them to have what I never had.”
He said he had lived through decades of hardship just to give his children safety and opportunity. And then Gay Mee was taken from him.
“And then my daughter, Gay Mee, was taken from me. Brutally. Senselessly. I cannot describe the pain I feel. She was my heart. She was kind, smart, and full of life. I dreamed of watching her graduate, go to college, build a life. All of that is gone now,” the statement read.
It continued, “Every day, I cry. I cannot sleep. I feel like everything I worked so hard for was destroyed in one moment. I wanted to give my children the best life I could. I tried to do everything right. But now, I am left with only grief.”
The shooter speaks
Byrd, for most of the sentencing, looked only at the table in front of him. Prior to Paw’s family giving their statements, Byrd read his own statement of apology to the court.
“Ever since that day, I’ve been in my head, wondering how I could have handled it differently, other than resorting to violence,” he said. “I know it may be too late for forgiveness, but I’m sorry for my actions. I completely understand how you might be angry or disappointed beyond belief. No one should have to experience a traumatic loss like this. … I can’t justify what I did, but I do know that beautiful young woman should be alive today.
Van Meter questioned Byrd directly, asking why he shot Paw.
“Really, I was just hurt,” Byrd replied. “From some previous relationships, I really just had anger built up … It was really just anger and hurt.”
He admitted to stalking Paw and said he had carried a weapon during some of those encounters. Byrd also admitted that after the shooting, he dumped her body, took his co-defendant home, and called several people before eventually calling 911. He said he did not know how long he waited before making the 911 call.
Final judgment
Judge Joe Castlen delivered the final ruling. He noted that while Byrd was entitled to be considered for probation due to being a juvenile at the time of the crime, it would not be granted.
“This was pretty horrific, and there’s just no way that I would probate you,” Castlen said.
Byrd was sentenced to 20 years for murder, 5 years for tampering with evidence, and 12 months for possession of a handgun by a minor. The sentences for the felonies will run consecutively for a total of 25 years. Byrd must serve 85% of the murder sentence before being eligible for parole.
