WEDNESDAY JUNE 2,2021
On June 2, 2021, our family experienced a loss that forever changed our lives. Sarah, age 26, and three of her children — Carter (5), Ashton (3), and Aubree (2) — were tragically taken from us as the result of domestic violence. In just moments, we lost a daughter, grandchildren, siblings, and loved ones whose smiles and laughter filled our lives with joy. It is a heartbreak no family should ever have to endure.
They were in their home — the place where they should have been safe. None of us could have imagined the danger that had entered their world in the weeks leading up to that day. The grief and shock that followed were overwhelming, and the emptiness left behind is something felt not just by our family, but by an entire community who loved them.
As the day unfolded, our family gathered at Sarah’s home, standing together in the rain while authorities worked inside. We waited for hours — clinging to hope, praying for answers, and supporting one another through tears and disbelief. When our loved ones were finally brought out, one by one, the weight of the reality settled in. Many of us could not bring ourselves to leave, because stepping away meant accepting what felt impossible to believe. The questions were endless. Why Sarah? Why the children? There are things we may never fully understand — but we know there is never a reason or justification for violence or for these beautiful lives to have been taken.
Sarah is also survived by two older children — a daughter and a son — who now continue forward without their mother and three of their siblings. They are surrounded with love, support, and guidance, and they remain a bright source of strength and purpose in our lives.
Though there will always be questions and pain that words cannot heal, one thing is certain: there is never a reason or excuse for domestic violence. Every life lost to it is one too many.
The Sarah Zent Foundation was created in honor of Sarah, Carter, Ashton, and Aubree — so their lives, their love, and their spirits continue to make a difference. Through awareness, prevention, and compassionate support, we are committed to helping protect families and building safer communities for all.
Their story is our purpose.
Their love is our guide.
Turning Heartbreak Into Purpose
The heartache our family felt on June 2, 2021 — and every day since — is something we would never wish on anyone. No parent, grandparent, sibling, or loved one should ever have to bury someone they cherish because of domestic violence. Our loss didn’t affect just one household — it impacted four families, all forever connected through love for Sarah and her children. Ours is a blended family, and Sarah’s children also had different fathers. Together, we were suddenly united in grief, trying to understand the unimaginable.
We could not save Sarah, Carter, Ashton, and Aubree. Many of us didn’t even know there was danger in the home or that abuse was present. Like so many families, we had no idea what was happening behind closed doors. That uncertainty is something we carry with us — and it is one of the reasons we speak openly now.
We share their story so others may better recognize the reality — and the deadly seriousness — of domestic violence. So that someone who believes, “He would never hurt the kids,” may pause, reach out, and seek safety. We don’t know what Sarah was thinking or feeling in those final moments, but we do know she loved her children fiercely and deserved protection, peace, and a future.
On April 29, 2023 — what would have been Sarah’s 28th birthday — Allen and Angela Zent founded The Sarah Zent Foundation to honor her and the children by helping others find safety and hope. Our purpose is to walk beside individuals and families impacted by domestic violence and connect them with real-world support. When possible, we assist with:
• Safety planning and guidance• Filing protective orders and legal steps• Short-term emergency needs such as housing, food, and gas• Connections to trusted community resources and services
Our goal is simple and deeply personal: to help protect others so no family has to experience the tragedy ours has endured. We do this work in memory of Sarah, Carter, Ashton, and Aubree — and in support of every survivor seeking a safer tomorrow.
If You Need Help — You’re Not Alone
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out. Whether you need information, support, or simply someone to listen, we are here to stand beside you. Your safety matters. Your story matters. And there is hope — even when it feels out of reach.
📩 Contact Us | 💜 Get Support | 📞 Find Resources Facebook: Sarah Zent Foundationemail: angelazent@sarahzentfoundation.com sms: START to 88788 tel:1.800.799.7233 Together, we can build safer homes, stronger communities, and a future free from violence — one family at a time.
We could not save Sarah, Carter, Ashton, and Aubree. Many of us didn’t even know there was danger in the home or that abuse was present. Like so many families, we had no idea what was happening behind closed doors. That uncertainty is something we carry with us — and it is one of the reasons we speak openly now.
We share their story so others may better recognize the reality — and the deadly seriousness — of domestic violence. So that someone who believes, “He would never hurt the kids,” may pause, reach out, and seek safety. We don’t know what Sarah was thinking or feeling in those final moments, but we do know she loved her children fiercely and deserved protection, peace, and a future.
On April 29, 2023 — what would have been Sarah’s 28th birthday — Allen and Angela Zent founded The Sarah Zent Foundation to honor her and the children by helping others find safety and hope. Our purpose is to walk beside individuals and families impacted by domestic violence and connect them with real-world support. When possible, we assist with:
• Safety planning and guidance• Filing protective orders and legal steps• Short-term emergency needs such as housing, food, and gas• Connections to trusted community resources and services
Our goal is simple and deeply personal: to help protect others so no family has to experience the tragedy ours has endured. We do this work in memory of Sarah, Carter, Ashton, and Aubree — and in support of every survivor seeking a safer tomorrow.
If You Need Help — You’re Not Alone
If you or someone you love is experiencing domestic violence, please reach out. Whether you need information, support, or simply someone to listen, we are here to stand beside you. Your safety matters. Your story matters. And there is hope — even when it feels out of reach.
📩 Contact Us | 💜 Get Support | 📞 Find Resources Facebook: Sarah Zent Foundationemail: angelazent@sarahzentfoundation.com sms: START to 88788 tel:1.800.799.7233 Together, we can build safer homes, stronger communities, and a future free from violence — one family at a time.
Learning to Breathe Through the Grief
In the days and weeks that followed, many of us moved through life on autopilot, trying simply to make it from one moment to the next. None of us had ever experienced loss like this. Allen — Sarah’s father and the grandfather of Carter, Ashton, and Aubree — took eight months away from work. When he did return, he soon realized he could no longer be in the place where he had received the phone call that changed his life forever. Other family members also stepped away from work to grieve and try to process what had happened. Each person carried their own pain, confusion, and heartbreak.
Sarah’s two oldest children continue to navigate life after losing their mother and three siblings. They have their hard days and their tender moments — but they are surrounded by love, support, and an entire community determined to help them heal.
Sarah’s two oldest children continue to navigate life after losing their mother and three siblings. They have their hard days and their tender moments — but they are surrounded by love, support, and an entire community determined to help them heal.
As court dates came and went, we searched for answers that never truly came. The trial brought even more painful details to light — reopening wounds that felt unbearable at times. Nothing could have prepared us for the reality of sitting in that courtroom. The man responsible showed no remorse, and even refused to attend the sentencing or listen to our victim impact statements. His actions may have changed our lives, but they will never define the love we have for Sarah and the children.
On the day he was sentenced, our family gathered to release butterflies in memory of Sarah, Carter, Ashton, and Aubree — a symbol of love, transformation, and the hope we continue to hold onto.
A Reflection of Love and Strength
Grief may always be a part of our story, but so is love — and love is stronger. We honor Sarah and the children not only by remembering their lives, but by choosing to help others, to speak out, and to build something meaningful from our pain. Their light continues to guide us, and through this foundation, we carry their legacy forward with compassion, courage, and hope.