The start of summer in Florida turned tragic for one family when 11-year-old Jordan Roe lost her life in a tubing accident at Star Lake on June 24, 2025. Known to her loved ones as “the protector,” Jordan embodied that title in her final moments. She had spent the day with her cousins, eight-year-old Laila and nine-year-old Brylee, enjoying tubing behind a Sea-Doo jet ski and celebrating with a family barbecue, laughing and playing under the sun.
The joyful afternoon quickly turned to horror when the watercraft veered out of control, struck a dock, and hurled the children into the lake. Initial reports mistakenly identified Laila as the victim, but it was later confirmed that Jordan had passed away. Laila suffered critical injuries while Brylee escaped with only minor wounds. Family members say that Jordan shielded her cousins during the impact, putting their safety before her own. “She sacrificed her life to save her cousin,” her aunt shared, capturing the courage of a child whose love outweighed fear.
Laila has since undergone multiple surgeries to recover from her injuries, while her mother, Kristine Robinson, was in Tampa caring for a newborn when she received the devastating news. The shock and grief prompted Kristine to urge other families to cherish every moment with their children, emphasizing the fragility of life. “Hold your babies tight… accidents happen in a blink,” she said, her words echoing the heartbreak and urgency that many parents now feel.
Though Jordan’s dream of becoming a veterinarian will never come to fruition, her spirit lives on through the lives saved by her organ donations. Her final act of generosity has already given others a second chance, demonstrating a remarkable strength and compassion beyond her years. In this way, Jordan’s legacy transcends the tragedy, showing the enduring impact of selflessness even in the most heartbreaking circumstances.
Two GoFundMe campaigns were established to help cover Jordan’s funeral costs and Laila’s ongoing medical care, attracting support and solidarity from across the country. Neighbors and friends offered messages of comfort, sending flowers, donations, and heartfelt notes of remembrance. The outpouring of support highlighted how deeply Jordan’s life touched others, even in such a brief span of time.
Residents near Star Lake remain shaken, describing the normally calm and peaceful area as a place where such a tragedy felt unimaginable. Yet amid the grief, the community has rallied together, sharing memories of Jordan and supporting her family through an overwhelming loss. The quiet lake now carries a weight of sorrow, but also a reminder of the courage of a young girl who acted with love above all else.
Jordan’s cousins, particularly Laila, carry the memory of her protective presence and bravery. Her actions on that fateful day ensured that at least some of the children survived, and Brylee’s safety stands as a testament to Jordan’s selflessness. Each recovery milestone, each smile that returns to her family, reflects the life-saving difference Jordan made in her final moments.
The story of Jordan Roe serves as a reminder of both the fragility and the preciousness of life. Families are encouraged to value every hug, every laugh, and every small moment shared with their children. Her bravery, kindness, and the lives she touched through organ donation leave a lasting imprint that goes far beyond the confines of her short life.
In the hearts of those who knew her, Jordan will always be “the protector,” a title she earned in the truest sense. Through her courage, her generosity, and the love she showed in her final act, she continues to inspire others. Her memory lives on in her cousins, in the lives saved, and in the countless people moved by the story of a young girl who put love above all else.