Sorority sisters remember KU student killed in hit-and-run: ‘She was a friend first’
University of Kansas Chi Omega member Kamryn Sulzner says to know Elsa McGrain was “to catch a glimpse of heaven.”
Hundreds gathered in the Kansas Union Ballroom at the University of Kansas Wednesday evening to honor the 20-year-old who was struck and killed while on a run near the Lawrence Regional Airport last Thursday.
A passerby notified emergency personnel around 3:30 a.m. Friday when they discovered a person lying near the road. Upon arrival, sheriff’s deputies determined McGrain had died.
William Ray Klingler, 36, was arrested and charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal hit-and-run crash. He has been charged with driving under the influence four prior times to the crash.
McGrain, an Omaha native, was set to graduate from the university in 2026. She dreamed of becoming a pediatric oncologist.
Her sorority sisters at the University of Kansas chapter of Chi Omega, along with other community members, came together Wednesday to remember a woman known for her strong faith, kindness and ambition.
People spilled out into the ballroom’s mezzanine as a slideshow of McGrain flashed across a projector, as worship music and Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” played in the background.
“It is so beautiful to see so many people here to remember and celebrate Elsa,” Sarah Walsh, president of KU Chi Omega, said. “Your presence is a testament to the love and impact Elsa had on all of us.”
Sorority mourns leader who was ‘a friend first’
McGrain served as the sorority’s house manager, where she worked to make new members feel welcome and helped deepen connections between existing members.
“Elsa was the best type of leader because she was a friend first,” Walsh said. “You could go up to her with any challenge, and she would help you, or with any triumph, and she would celebrate with you.”
McGrain’s roommates held hands on stage, as each woman stepped forward and gave one word to describe their friend: loving, caring, intentional, radiant, faithfulness, ambitious, inviting and funny.
Emma Hale, one of McGrain’s roommates, said McGrain was “a hugger.”
“And I mean a big hugger,” Hale said.
Every time McGrain came home, Hale said, McGrain gave her a hug “no matter what.”
“Elsa didn’t just have one love language,” Hale said. “She lived out all of them. She told you she loved you, she showed it through hugs, and she proved it through her actions every single day.”
Other roommates recalled McGrain’s proclivity for curling every sister’s hair, and her love for leading Bible studies and pickleball.
Kamryn Sulzner, a member of Chi Omega, spoke about a time when the pair took a drive together and blasted “The Greatest Showman” and “Annie” soundtracks.
“As we drove around, Elsa made a point to roll all the windows down, honking and saying hi to everyone we passed,” Sulzner said.
‘Immensely thankful to have been loved by Elsa’
Caleb Keaton, director of The Salt Company, a college ministry at the University of Kansas of which McGrain was a part of, spoke about McGrain’s strong faith.
Keaton said after McGrain’s death, he overheard a conversation between a staff member at the ministry and someone close to McGrain. The person told the staff member, “I just want to encounter Jesus the way that Elsa encountered Jesus.”
“I may not have personal stories about Elsa, but what I know with 100% certainty is that there is nothing that anyone could say to her that would make her happier than if somebody said that,” Keaton said.
McGrain was planning to serve on a mission trip this upcoming summer, where she would speak about her faith with college students throughout Eastern Europe and South Asia, Keaton said.
Many speakers Wednesday praised McGrain for helping them strengthen their faith, including a friend from high school who also spoke.
“She was put on this earth to share God’s love and to live a life full of honesty, grace and purpose,” she said, noting the two always talked about being bridesmaids at each other’s weddings.
“Even though she won’t be standing next to me, physically, I know she’ll still be one of mine. She’ll be there smiling, laughing and loving, just like she always did.”
Sulzner said McGrain prayed for everyone she knew.
“If you live in Kansas, or in the Lawrence community, attend KU, or go to Salt or are a part of Chi O, Elsa McGrain has prayed for you,” Sulzner said.
Once, Sulzner mentioned to McGrain that it had been one year since she had given her life to Christ. The next morning, McGrain showed up at Sulzner’s door with Starbucks drinks and two birthday cake pops.
“When she handed them to me, she said, ‘Happy one year of being alive in Christ,’” Sulzner said. “That’s who Elsa was. That’s how we remember her: alive in Christ.”
Even though McGrain is gone, the sorority sisters know she is still with them.
Chi Omega member Callie Williams was watching the northern lights Tuesday with her roommates when they began talking about McGrain. When they mentioned her name, they saw a shooting star.
“We all immediately began tearing up, knowing that this was a sign from Elsa that she is exactly where she wants to be, sitting alongside the Lord,” Williams said. “Seeing the way everyone is coming together and actively wanting to grow closer to God is exactly what Elsa would want. I am immensely thankful to have been loved by Elsa, and I hope to love people at least a small fraction of the way that she did.”
This story was originally published November 13, 2025 at 12:49 PM.
