Girl, 9, with 'Most Joyful Smile and Biggest Heart' Shot Dead in Car Alongside Dad with Self-Inflicted Wound

A 9-year-old girl and her father were both found shot dead on Tuesday.

Emily Grace Mayo, 9, and James Lee Mayo, 37, were found dead in a car at Brooklet City Park by police after a concerned citizen called in to report an “unresponsive child locked in a vehicle,” according to a news release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Once officers made entry into the vehicle they discovered “a child dead in the backseat with an apparent gunshot wound,” the GBI said in the release.

They found James next, with the release saying that “a man was found dead in the front seat from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”

The release goes on to say that “a handgun was found on his lap.”

An investigation into the deaths is now underway and autopsies are being performed on the bodies of both father and daughter, according to the release.

Authorities would not say if the same gun or bullets were used to kill both father and daughter.

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Emily’s family is now raising funds for her burial and funeral services on GoFundMe.

“Emily had the most joyful smile and the biggest heart. She loved to laugh, dance, and sing,” her aunt Amber Healy wrote about the young girl.

Healy said Emily “loved her family and we loved her more than we could put into words,” before adding: “The world lost a huge light.”

She also asked that people “keep us all in your prayers as we navigate through this nightmare we cannot wake up from,” saying that Emily’s mom is devastated to have to bury her little girl.

“No parent should have to make these decisions,” wrote Healy.

The GoFundMe has raised over $25,000 as of Thursday morning.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.