Erika Lane Frantzve, the wife of controversial US activist Charlie Kirk, shared a post on social media that readers are seeing in a new light after her husband was shot dead at just 31 years old.
Frantzve and the two young children she shared with Kirk were all present at the debate event at Utah Valley University on September 10, when Kirk was killed by a single gunshot fired from a nearby rooftop.
Kirk was at the debate with his organization Turning Point, which he had co-founded when he was just 18 years old. The organization aimed to spread conservative ideals at US colleges that are typically liberal-leaning, and Kirk became a controversial figure as he debated with students on topics such as transgender identity, climate change and family values.
Frantzve and Kirk married in 2021 (Instagram/@mrserikakirk)
Footage from the debate showed Kirk standing under a white tent, speaking into a microphone in front of a crowd of people when he was suddenly shot.
Donald Trump, with who Kirk had been a close ally, later confirmed the news of his death in a post on Truth Social, in which he described Kirk as ‘legendary’.
Attention has turned to some of Kirk and his family’s final movements prior to the shooting, and social media users couldn’t help but notice that Frantzve had shared a Bible verse prior to the assassination which became even more poignant afterwards.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, she wrote at 12:45pm: “Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
Within a matter of hours, news of Kirk’s death was confirmed.
Socials media users have since flooded Frantzve with their condolences, with one person writing: “Jesus is holding you in his warm embrace. We are heartbroken.”
“The fact that you posted this before the event, is a testament of the Lord,” added another.
Erika Lane Frantzve shared her post just hours before her husband’s death (X/@MrsErikaKirk)
A third wrote: “Your husband is with Jesus. He was a hero and an inspiration. You will see him again, although I know that is no consolation to you and your precious babies right know. I’m so sorry that you are going through this. Evil is rampant in this country.”
Frantzve, who was crowned 2012 Miss Arizona USA, married Kirk in 2021 after the pair met three years earlier.
In a 2022 Instagram post, Frantzve gushed over her husband as she wrote: “God knew all along, it was you. Charles James you are my today and all of my tomorrow’s. How blessed I am to have you as my husband and how honored I am to be your wife. May our marriage continue to glorify God. I love you endlessly.”
After getting married, Frantzve and Kirk welcomed two children; a daughter born in August 2022, and a son born in May 2024.
