Brandon Short reached out to his supporters this week with a heartbreaking update about his daughter Karli’s case. The former Penn State and NFL linebacker took to social media to share where things stand. He thanked everyone who continued to ask about the situation and offered their prayers. It’s been over four years since the former Nittany Lion lost his daughter and unborn grandson in a senseless act of gun violence that shook the McKeesport community and the entire Penn State family.

The wait for justice continues to drag on for Brandon Short and his family. The 48-year-old posted an update this week, writing, “Many of you have continued to reach out asking for updates, and we want to thank you for your ongoing support and prayers. Unfortunately, we’ve been informed that the trial has once again been postponed, and at this time, no new date has been set.”

Karli Short was just 26 years old when she was murdered in September 2021 in McKeesport, Pennsylvania. At the time, she was five months pregnant. Isaac Smith, the father of her unborn child, was arrested and charged with criminal homicide and homicide of an unborn child two months later. Brandon Short, who lost both his daughter and first grandson that day, said at the time that his heart was broken and that he’d “lost the light of my life.”

“This process has already taken far longer than any family should have to endure, and we are frustrated that justice continues to be delayed,” Short wrote in his statement. It’s been over four years since Karli was killed, and the family is still waiting for their day in court while dealing with what Short called delays that no family should have to go through.​

Instead of letting grief consume him, Brandon Short and his wife, Mahreen, channeled their pain into something positive. They created the Karli Short Better Tomorrow Foundation in 2022, designed to help Penn State students who’ve been affected by gun violence. “Losing Karli was devastating and still is, and I don’t know if I’ll ever be the same,” Short said when launching the foundation. 

“However, I’m a big believer in God and religion and that everything happens for a reason. When I thought about it, as I’m grieving, I couldn’t think of a better way to honor Karli’s memory than to help students live the American dream and reach their full potential.” The foundation’s mission is to provide financial support and hope to young people trying to overcome trauma and create a better tomorrow for themselves.​ 

Now, the foundation holds an annual fundraising gala that’s become a major event in the Penn State community. It features memorabilia auctions, game tickets, and appearances from Brandon Short’s football connections.​

“We believe that the best way to celebrate Karli is to help these students overcome trauma and loss and pursue their dreams,” Short said. Through the foundation, Karli’s legacy still lives on.​

The football community rallies around the family

The response to Brandon Short’s latest update has been overwhelming. And people from all corners of the football world and beyond are reaching out to express their frustration and support. One fan captured what a lot of people were feeling when they wrote, “Don’t know how but this is the first I ever heard about this. So unbelievably sorry this happened. Praying for your family.” While the Short family has been living this nightmare for over four years, many people are just now learning about Karli’s story. And when they do, they’re heartbroken. 

Another commenter got straight to the point about the delays: “This is ridiculous! Sorry your family is going through this.” Some fans didn’t hold back their criticism of the legal system handling the case. “Sounds like you have a very lazy prosecutor. Prayers to you and your family,” one person wrote, voicing the frustration many feel about the constant postponements. The prosecutor initially sought the death penalty based on six aggravating factors, but later, the Allegheny County DA’s office decided against pursuing capital punishment. 

Brandon Short remains hopeful that the court system will finally move forward with Karli’s case. “We remain hopeful that the court will move swiftly to confirm a new date and that there will be no further setbacks,” he said in his latest update. While the legal process continues to frustrate the family, the foundation’s work goes on.

But beyond the words of frustration and anger at the legal delays, some of the most powerful responses were the simplest ones. Messages like “Hugs to you all!!!” revealed the helplessness people feel when they can’t fix the situation but still want the Short family to know they’re not alone.

Then there were the strings of prayer emojis, “🙏🙏🙏” showing up throughout the replies, quiet acknowledgments that words aren’t always enough. Brandon Short has consistently thanked his supporters for keeping Karli in their prayers. And these responses show that the Penn State community and football world haven’t forgotten her.