8-Year-Old Murdered Girl Had A 'Smile That Lit Up The Room'

The 8-year-old girl who was reportedly shot and killed by her father last week had a smile that just lit up the room.

Kerry Postma, the superintendent of the Edgewater School District, said that Mellie Stasko was “an outgoing child with stellar grades [and] a delightful personality.”

Postma expressed her grief on Twitter after the shootings.

Authorities said they believe Michael Stasko, 53, shot his wife Melissa and their daughter last week. Authorities found the bodies 7 p.m. Christmas in the Windsor at Mariners Tower apartment, The Record reported.

Authorities did not find any notes in the apartment and there were no signs of a forced entry or any evidence that the couple faced legal or financial problems, according to the report.

Melissa Stasko’s brother told police that the family was expected to arrive at 1 p.m. in Lee’s Summit, Mo., to celebrate Christmas, The Record reported.

“All of us are devastated by their murders and will never understand how a husband and father could do this,” Melissa Stasko’s aunt Nancy Hunter said in the report.

Melissa and Mellie were found in bed in their pajamas, the NY Post reported, and Christmas presents were under their tree. The shooting was believed to have taken place Dec. 22 or 23. Mellie had just celebrated her eighth birthday on the 22nd, the report said.

Michael Stasko sold custom watches to law enforcement officers; he ran the business out of the apartment, officials said in several reports.

Postma called the shooting of Mellie “tragic and senseless” in a letter posted on the district’s website:

Dear Edgewater Parents and Community Members,

Words are not coming easily at this difficult time. We are shocked and deeply saddened by the tragic and senseless loss of our dear second-grade student Mellie Stasko. Our prayers are with the family, and with our community.

Ours is a community that bands together in times of need, which is an encouragement as we grieve this terrible loss together.

With my sincerest thoughts and prayers,

Kerry Postma

Authorities are trying to determine a motive for the killings, according to a report by WABC.