KU student killed in hit-and-run ‘was going to do so much more,’ parents say
Elsa McGrain’s father, Jordan McGrain, had just finished packing up her possessions in Lawrence, where the college senior had been attending the University of Kansas before being killed in a hit-and-run crash late last week, and was driving back to Omaha when he paused to reflect on his daughter’s life.
“Every waking moment she had was spent doing something in the service of others,” he said. “ Whether through her school, her sorority or her faith community.”
The 20-year-old student was studying to be a pediatric oncologist, and was set to graduate from KU in 2026. But she was killed last Thursday evening in a hit-and-run crash while on a run in the 1700 block of E. 1500 Road, near the Lawrence Regional Airport.
Elsa McGrain took the time to run at sunset to feel closer to God, according to her family. She had just talked to a close friend before the run who was going through a tough time, and had asked that friend if she could pray for her on that run.
“She found beautiful places on this earth to connect to God,” said her mother, Anna McGrain. “She was out there because it was a full moon and also a pretty sunset, so she went out there when she could see both.”
A passerby called dispatchers at 3:35 a.m. Friday, saying they found a person near the road, according the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson George Diepenbrock. When deputies responded, they determined the person, later identified as Elsa McGrain, had died.
A student interested in helping others
Always the straight-A student, Jordan McGrain said Elsa McGrain was compassionate, and strove to make sure everyone in the room felt included. Her mother Anna McGrain said Elsa as a child was extremely bubbly and goofy with a contagious laugh.
“She was the easiest child. She was the one you never worried about, never getting in trouble and doing everything right,” Jordan McGrain said.
Elsa McGrain developed a stronger connection with Christianity in her teenage years, even going as far one summer in Omaha as to set up a young adult ministry group which had not existed before. It was unique, according to her parents, and something she worked very hard for — which made them very proud.
“She just was such a good person ... she lived with conviction, and she didn’t care what people thought,” Anna McGrain said. “Her happiness came when she could help people, when she would reach out to people she was able to find the little guy in the room that nobody else noticed.”
While at the University of Kansas, Elsa McGrain was heavily involved in leadership roles on campus, at her sorority, Chi Omega, and in her faith community. She was also a huge Taylor Swift fan, and enjoyed watching Kansas City sports with her family.
“I’m amazed frankly with all the stories we’ve heard in the days since her passing,” her father said. “I don’t know how she had time to do all this stuff.”
And through it all, her parents said, her heart for helping others always set her apart.
Earlier this year, Elsa McGrain and Anna McGrain were on their way to shop for groceries when they saw a homeless man on the corner. Elsa McGrain instantly turned to her mother and said they had to buy the man groceries.
“As soon as we got closer, she jumped right out of the car and went up to this person, she had no fear of people (and) to help,” she said. “She knew they needed help and gave this guy all these groceries, and he was so thankful. That is what gave her joy.”
That generosity was shifting into her career aspiration — pediatric oncology. Anna McGrain remembered feeling worried at first about the toll it would have on Elsa McGrain’s heart.
“I realized, you know, that’s what made her happy, that gave her happiness,” she said. “... She knew that that would be hard, but she was gonna do it to help those children.”
An arrest made, as loved ones honor Elsa’s legacy
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On Sunday evening, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office announced they had arrested William Ray Klingler, 36, of Lawrence for involuntary manslaughter for his alleged involvement in her death.
Klinger was charged Wednesday with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, circumventing of ignition interlock device, a subsequent offense for driving while suspended and for having no proof of motor vehicle liability insurance coverage, according to court documents.
Klingler has previously been charged with DUI at least four times, online court records show. He has twice been charged with tampering with an ignition interlock device, which requires a breath test before a vehicle can be driven.
Detectives with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office are still seeking witnesses, particularly anyone who may have been driving in the area between 6p.m. and 6:30 p.m., according to Diepenbrock. Tips should be made to detective Lance Flachsbarth at 785-393-5845, or Douglas County Crime Stoppers, 785-843-TIPS (8477).
In the meantime, Elsa McGrain’s family plans to honor her life and legacy by spreading positivity . Anna McGrain said they plan to speak out more about change they want to see, but for now, their focus is on the fact there are more good people in this world than evil.
“We’re just focusing on Elsa and encouraging others to live like Elsa and, and connect with each other,” she said. “And we hope that more good comes out of (her death) than anything else. But I as a mother don’t want someone else to have this happen again to their child.“
A GoFundMe set up earlier this week in her honor has already raised over $51,000 as of Wednesday afternoon. Every cent will go to the Elsa McGrain Legacy Fund, which is dedicated to continuing her impact through acts of care and opportunity in her name.
“She was taken from this world way too soon,” Anna McGrain said. “She was gonna do so much more for humanity. And unfortunately we lost her too soon.”
This story was originally published November 12, 2025 at 4:40 PM.
