LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Five days after a brush fire burned acres at Whitney Mesa Park, the family of the man killed in the flames is sharing memories of Kevin Reed and how they are coping with their loss.
Reed died in the fire that forced dozens of people to evacuate the area. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
“Super playful. Always has jokes,” said one family member, describing Reed. “Very generous, caring. Always considering others.”
His family called him a free spirit who valued his independence above all else.
“He loved his freedom more than anything else. He would always be going out, walking, riding his bike,” said Victoria Langston, Reed’s sister.
Family struggles with unanswered questions
Langston and Summer Carpenter sat down with FOX5 to share Reed’s story just days after he was killed in the brush fire.
“It’s kind of hard to put in words. Just…Very crazy,” Langston said when asked about the past few days.
Carpenter received confirmation of Reed’s death Friday morning.
“I got the phone call confirming that it was him on Friday at 6:30 in the morning,” Carpenter said. “I think we were all confused. Outside? You know, not understanding why or what happened.”
The investigation has left many questions unanswered: What caused the fire? Why was Kevin out there when it happened? Who was he with?
“He hated fire and the fact that there was no sign of him getting up and getting out hurts more than anything, because that doesn’t make sense,” Langston said.
Remembering Kevin’s life
Reed had experienced challenges in his young life, spending time living on the streets and in foster care. The support of his foster family helped him graduate from school before he died.
“There wasn’t a time that we all didn’t want to be together,” Langston said. “We’re all really close siblings as it is. So, the fact that we didn’t, we weren’t talking that, like, last little bit. It kind of hurts more than anything.”
The family hopes people will remember to value time with loved ones.
“Just cherish time with your family, because you never know. The unthinkable and unexplainable could happen at any time,” Langston said. “Don’t be upset. Just smile, because he would want you to.”
Victoria and Summer encourage anyone who knew Kevin to attend his memorial service.
Last week, neighbors in the Whitney Mesa area told FOX5 they heard what sounded like an explosion right before the fire started. Henderson city officials said that is part of their investigation.
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