LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — UNLV honored 21-year-old, Janeah Lane, a criminal justice major, who died tragically last March after accidentally killing herself with a handgun, over the weekend.
Friends and family gathered at what would have been Lane’s college graduation, on Saturday. Her Mother, Simoni Lane took the stage in an emotional tribute and shared with 8 News Now just how special the moment was.
“UNLV was so amazing. It was healing and I felt the love,” Simoni Lane shared.
In addition to UNLV’S ceremony, Lane’s family held a balloon release at Sunset Park. Her aunt, Salina Bibbs shared with 8 News Now that Lane impacted a lot of people across the valley as an influencer.
“She was a hairstylist in Las Vegas and she has a big mural inside Lux Beauty Supply on Sahara and Valley View,” Bibbs said.
When Lane’s family could not get a hold of her, they reached out to her apartment complex.
“I called her complex for a wellness check. Come to find out someone called that Sunday about hearing a gunshot at the apartment complex,” Bibbs added.
It was ultimately Lane’s mother, Simoni who found her body. Her aunt shared that her phone was lying by her side.
“I happen to look on her browser and it says how to unload a gun properly and when they found her, there was a full clip on the bed,” Bibbs shared.
While Metro police ruled Lane’s death a suicide, her family believes her death was accidental. They now continue to keep her legacy alive by advocating for gun safety through her social media platform.
“I am blessed to have had 21 years of her and look at how many lives she’s changed through social media. She is what social media is supposed to be,” Lane’s mother told 8 News Now.
