Eight years ago, Michele and Jeremy Davis’ lives were forever changed when their 17-year-old son, Carter, and his friend Natalie Henderson were tragically killed in a random attack. The pain of that loss remains, but in the years since, the Davis family has found solace in unexpected ways—through hawks, butterflies, and a heartfelt song written by one of Michele’s former students.
Carter, a vibrant teenager with a love for lacrosse and a passion for life, was just days away from starting his senior year at River Ridge High School in Woodstock, Georgia, when he and Natalie were gunned down in a parking lot on August 1, 2016. The senseless act, carried out by 20-year-old Jeffrey Hazelwood, who later pleaded guilty but mentally ill, left the community in shock and the Davis family searching for ways to cope.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the Davises found comfort in small, meaningful signs. At a vigil held the day after Carter’s death, a hawk appeared, soaring silently over the crowd as Jeremy spoke. “I see him as a hawk or an eagle, soaring high above,” Jeremy had told his family earlier. The hawk’s presence felt like a message from Carter, a reminder that he was still with them.
Butterflies also became a symbol of hope. A yellow and black butterfly landed near Michele and her parents days after the killings, evoking memories of Carter’s love for the delicate creatures. Weeks later, during a lacrosse game organized in Carter’s honor, a butterfly landed on his helmet, worn by his best friend from South Dakota. These moments, though small, brought a sense of peace to a family grappling with unimaginable grief.
Recently, another touching tribute emerged. Slater Nalley, one of Michele’s former students at the Lovett School in Atlanta, wrote a song about Carter titled *Traces of You*. The song, which Nalley performed on *American Idol*, captures the essence of Carter’s spirit and the family’s enduring connection to him. Its lyrics, “Every single time I see a bird fly by, I’m reminded you’re answering my prayers,” reflect the hawks and butterflies that have become symbols of Carter’s presence.
Michele, who has found strength in sharing her story, is part of a group called the Warrior Moms—women who have experienced profound loss and are determined to help others find joy again. Through their upcoming book, *Grieve Like a Mother, Survive Like a Warrior*, Michele hopes to inspire others to embrace both grief and joy, what she calls “living in the ‘and.’”
Though the pain of losing Carter will never fully fade, the Davis family continues to honor his memory through love, resilience, and the belief that he is still with them—in the hawks that soar above, the butterflies that flutter by, and the music that keeps his spirit alive.
Carter’s story is a reminder that even in the darkest times, light can be found. And for the Davises, that light shines through every hawk, every butterfly, and every note of a song written for a son gone too soon.