What began as a joyful summer afternoon on the water ended in unimaginable sorrow—and one extraordinary act of bravery.
On June 24, 11-year-old Jordan Roe gave her life to protect her 8-year-old cousin, Laila, during a tragic tubing accident on Star Lake, which lies between Putnam and Alachua Counties in Florida.
Jordan, affectionately known by her loved ones as the “family protector,” had always been a natural caregiver. That day, she lived up to her name one final time—sacrificing herself so that her cousin might live.
The family had been celebrating summer with a barbecue and water activities. Jordan, Laila, and 9-year-old Brylee were being pulled on an inflatable tube behind a jet ski when it crashed into a dock. The impact flung all three children into the lake, according to reports from WCJB.
Initial confusion surrounded the identities of the victims, and early news reports incorrectly stated that the 8-year-old had died. It was later confirmed that Jordan had tragically passed away at the scene.
Brylee suffered only minor injuries, while Laila was transported to a hospital in critical condition. She has undergone multiple surgeries—and according to family members, she owes her life to Jordan’s final, heroic act.
“Jordan laid down her life for her cousin,” said her aunt. “She was always the protector—and she proved that even at the very end.”
Kristine Robinson, mother of Laila and Brylee, was in Tampa at the time of the accident with her newborn child in a NICU when she received the devastating call.
“Hold your children close,” she urged in a televised interview. “We all want to enjoy time with our kids, but please—be careful on the water.”
Laila remains in the pediatric ICU, bravely fighting to recover, her family holding onto hope that her strength—and Jordan’s spirit—will carry her through.
Authorities with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission continue to investigate the incident and have asked witnesses to come forward with any videos or additional information.
As word of the tragedy spread, tributes began pouring in for Jordan—a bright, compassionate girl who dreamed of becoming a vet and was known for her love of animals and people alike.
A GoFundMe set up in her memory describes Jordan as a “free spirit with a heart full of kindness,” someone who would wake up each day asking, “Are my hands steady enough to help today?”
In death, as in life, Jordan gave selflessly—donating her organs to help others live, fulfilling a dream she had quietly held.
“Jordan died how she lived—protecting the people she loved,” Kristine Robinson wrote. “Her light continues to shine through every person she helped, even after her passing.”
A family friend, Allison Hadley, shared a tribute on Facebook: “Your laughter, your love, your joy—it stays with us. You were a light, and that light won’t go out.”
Two fundraising campaigns are now active—one to assist with Jordan’s funeral costs, and the other to support Laila’s ongoing recovery. Donations have poured in from across the country, moved by the profound courage of a young girl whose story has touched thousands.
Local resident Steven Gabbard, a long-time Star Lake neighbor, captured the feeling that now hangs over the community: “It’s hard to wrap your head around. This lake is so quiet, so peaceful. No one expects something like this to happen.”
And yet, from unimaginable tragedy, Jordan’s legacy rises: a testament to selflessness, love, and courage far beyond her years.
