PUTNAM COUNTY, Fla. — Ayana Belton was 16 when she was found unresponsive with over 100 stab wounds just feet away from her home in Putnam County.
“When you lose a daughter unexpectedly like that, everything seems to just be minimized to that pain and agony," said Robert Belton Jr., Ayana's father.
Ayana was stabbed 124 times by her boyfriend in March 2020.
A little over a year late, and 30 miles away, 13-year-old Tristyn Bailey, was fatally stabbed 114 times by her schoolmate.
“It’s been three years now. So the feelings don’t change it's still the same we still miss her, but you try to learn to live with it, I guess," said Denisha Belton, Ayana's sister.
Ayana’s father heard Forrest Bailey’s comments about his daughter’s case during a speech after his daughter's murderer was sentenced.
He said he couldn’t thank him enough.
“I go like wow how thoughtful," said Ayana's father.
Ayana’s big sister says it’s so shocking how similar Ayana and Tristyn stories are especially after hearing Tristan’s mom talk about her difficult pregnancy abroad during her victim impact statement.
“It's so funny because their stories are so similar. My sister as well when my mom was pregnant, they thought she was going to have down syndrome and stuff and we are from a different country as well," said Ayana's sister.
Like Tristyn’s parents, their pain is ever present.
“We miss her so much everyday, and it's an honor right to let people know that even though you go through a lot of pain and agony there’s always a way out, there’s always light and that light is through God," said Ayana's father.
Ayana’s father says he did reach out to the Baileys to thank them for their comments and said he’s very grateful.