‘We won’t give up’: 5 months after girl found unconscious in dorm, community calls for change

WILMORE, Ky. ( WDKY ) — Nearly five months after a student was found injured and unconscious in her Kentucky dorm room, a support group gathered Monday to hold a vigil in her honor and to call for change on campus.

The family told Nexstar’s WDKY their freshman daughter, Isabella Willingham, was found unconscious and injured in her Asbury University dorm room in Nov. 2023. The Jessamine County Sheriff’s Office and Asbury University said the investigation into what happened remains ongoing.

In December, Sheriff Kevin Grimes told WDKY the student, discovered by her roommate, was taken to the hospital where injuries were found on her legs. So far, investigators have not said what caused those injuries.

Since the incident, “Asbury Anonymous” — a Facebook group of parents, alumni, students, and supporters — has grown to nearly 500 members. The group has served as a space for its members to share stories of their time at Asbury, and offer support for the Willingham family.

On April 13, some of those supporters gathered in Isabella’s honor during the Highbridge Film Festival, the night of Asbury University’s largest campus event of the year. The video above, courtesy of Andy Willingham, shows supporters gathered for the vigil.

Members of Asbury Anonymous stood on the sidewalk outside of the Miller Communication building, holding signs and singing hymnals as festival attendees were ushered inside.

“We wanted to do a peaceful protest on the same night as the Highbridge Film Festival because we knew there would be a lot of people. We had about 25 people with signs standing right in front of the building that held the after party,” Lydia McMillion, a Wilmore resident, told WDKY.

McMillion and others handed out flyers with QR codes to the Asbury Anonymous website , which claims Willingham “isn’t the only one.” The website includes testimonies from alumni, detailing safety concerns at Asbury.

Isabella’s mother, Jennifer Willingham, called out the university’s “lack of safety measures” in a statement after the vigil, which she and her husband, Andy, attended.

“My husband and I were really surprised by the turnout since it was only planned days before. The support from the community and some alumni who attended was amazing. The goal of this protest, and future ones, is to bring awareness of the lack of safety measures put in place to prevent any future tragedies like the one that happened to our daughter,” Jennifer Willingham, Isabella’s mom, said. “We won’t give up until Asbury acknowledges their (sic) part in what happened that day on November 27th. Asbury has to make changes before any other student is harmed emotionally and physically.”

Isabella was hospitalized for nearly two weeks, according to a post from her father on Asbury Anonymous’ website . He also detailed the lack of communication they’ve received from the school.

“We shouldn’t have to fight tooth and nail to find answers,” Andy wrote. “We shouldn’t be treated like the villains when our daughter is the victim.”

Grimes told WDKY, as of Tuesday, there is no new information to be shared in the case.

When asked about the vigil on campus, Asbury’s director of strategic communications, Abby Laub, told WDKY: “This matter is part of an ongoing investigation by the appropriate authorities and with the University’s full cooperation. We are unable to provide any updates or specific information at this time. Asbury’s priority remains the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff.”

As WDKY previously reported in December , Asbury said in a statement it was “not aware of any information to indicate a threat to members of the campus community.”

After five months of uncertainty, however, those who attended Monday’s vigil affirm it is important to have their voices heard through these demonstrations.

“It is imperative for the safety of Asbury’s students that Isabella’s incident not be taken lightly,” Jennifer Wiggs, a Wilmore resident, said. “I also feel that the family should know this is a community that cares and has not forgotten about them. That’s why these sorts of public expressions are important — to bring awareness, to encourage change, and to show solidarity.”

Hannah Barlow, an Asbury alumni and organizer of Asbury Anonymous, told WDKY the organization plans to continue their efforts and create a safe space for alumni to share their stories.

“We are begging for the administration to hear us,” she said. “Asbury Anonymous would be happy to meet with the board of trustees and administration to address these issues and help work towards a safer, better, Asbury.”

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