Comment: Kari Diviney, Ryan’s sister, shares her thoughts and opinions to represent his best interests… as he would want. Her heartfelt Facebook plea will soon exceed the threshold of “going viral” and the momentum is actually gaining! As I write this the Anti-Parole Petition it is quickly approaching 75,000!
Most people already read it, but please read it again. I did… her love and sense of knowing what Ryan would want buckled me at the knees. She knows him and is like him like no other person. They share the same genes. They experienced the same environment. They share the same values and beliefs.
I just could not pull myself off the floor. I was a heap of helplessness. It was Kari writing, but if felt like she was channeling Ryan’s desires. Like Ryan, she makes proud and it easy to be her dad. They make me look better than I really am.
Oh, how I love them.
Ryan takes me to a WVU football game. It is the last time I ever saw him before the attack. Ryan showed me off to everyone that night.
By: Kari Diviney
If you are reading this post this is the last picture of the last time I ever saw my big brother conscious. It is the last time I saw his smile, hugged him, or heard his voice. In this picture I was visiting him at his school, West Virginia University. We were at a WVU football game and it was one of the best nights of my life. He was only 20 years old in this picture as a sophomore in his fall semester, and I was an 18-year-old senior in high school. I am now 21 and a junior at West Virginia University.
On November 7, 2009 my brother was brutally attacked in the parking lot of Dairy Mart on Wiley Street. After an argument broke out about the world series video surveillance shows my brother back pedaling away from the group in self-defense. One boy from the group (Jonathan May) ran up to my brother and sucker punched him so hard he got knocked off his feet. This caused his head to hit a metal sewer which immediately knocked him unconscious.
Actual videofeed frame of Ryan (left side, white shirt) backpedaling with hands up in protection. Vantrease (striped shirt), May, and others are running him down. Within seconds of this frame, Ryan’s life changed forever.
Following Jonathan May’s punch, one of his friends from the group, Austin Vantrease, ran up and viciously kicked my unconscious brother in the head (which described from a witness said it looked as though he was punting a football). The impact immediately sent my brother into a seizure with blood exiting from his mouth and ears.
My then 20-year-old brother has been in a coma ever since. He is now 23 years old, an innocent man, stuck in his body…his own prison, for no reason. Anyone who knows Ryan knows he did not deserve this. He was maliciously attacked by people he didn’t even know, people who didn’t even attend WVU, complete strangers. No person in their right mind would kick an unconscious man while he was down. Neither of the boys called an ambulance or turned themselves in, they simply watched from behind the dumpster as my brother nearly died, then proceeded on to a party. If my brother wasn’t found by a Morgantown Police officer, Jimmy Smith, he would have likely died in that parking lot.
A photo minutes before Sue (Ryan’s mom) said good-bye to him for the last time.
Ryan was the funniest, most caring, and passionate person I have ever known. He is my big brother and always will be. I will always look up to him. Ryan has protected me all my life and has made me who I am today, and I never thought I, as his little sister, would ever lose him. But I lost my brother, the person I most looked up to, the person I thought was invincible, my hero.
Now my family and I live a life not knowing if we will ever get him back, ever see that shining and contagious smile again, ever hear his laugh…
He will forever be stuck as a 20-year-old sophomore at West Virginia University… as his attackers will go on with their pathetic lives.
Jonathan May has been released from jail about a year ago. Austin Vantrease is still in prison with no remorse for his actions. He and his family have not reached out or put a penny toward my brother’s care. This July Austin will be attempting his 3rd try at parole. The most we can do for my brother is try to keep this malicious felon in prison as long as we can.
If you are reading this, no matter WHO you are, you can help us keep Austin Vantrease in Prison till the year 2015. My brother, an innocent victim’s life, is forever changed. He can’t speak for himself, eat for himself, think for himself, tell us if he is in pain… nothing. The least we can do is get my brother the justice he so very deserves.
Please share this story and sign this Petition to keep Austin Vantrease in prison for his full sentencing and deny his parole attempts. He will one day get his life back, my brother… we can only pray.
Whoever you are you can help right now by clicking this link (or the picture below) and simply signing your name.
Anti-Parole Petition. Please Sign. Please share.
Every single person and name counts! My family and brother need you all more than ever. Thank you for taking the time to read this and I hope you all will do this one small act that can make a world’s difference.
Please spread the word and speak what my brother cannot. ♥♥ Let’s go TEAM DIVINEY!
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April 19, 2016 at 10:59 AMHey, you’re the goto expert. Thanks for hanging out here.
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March 30, 2016 at 1:32 PMThis forum needed shaking up and you’ve just done that. Great post!
Ziya says
September 20, 2015 at 6:30 AMSome of my posts are now appearing, but I notcie that it is a selective process.As for the reasons that Putin has banned the book, why, they reside in the book itself, which implicates Putin and the rest of the FSB in many, many criminal activities. I don’t believe that the Russian government put out a press release on the subject, but, the proof being in the pudding, I challenge anyone to try to obtain the book on Russian soil. I think you will meet with no small difficulty in doing so. I have sent you the book in Microsoft Word format, Mike, and if you were to read it, there is no doubt that you would be forced to come to the conclusion that what Litvinenko and Felshtinsky wrote was the truth, and that it was because of the book that Litvinenko was killed. To try to pass off the murders of journalists in Russia as something other than the political assassinations that they were makes you either complicit or a fool. You need not remain either.I see that another poster has identified me as a conspiracy theorist, and of course I plead guilty. It was Lenin himself, upon founding the Russian Communist party in 1903, who described his fellow charter members (there were 17 of them) as co-conspirators in a criminal enterprise, who would use criminal means to come to power. That they did, and by 1917 his co-conspirators numbered some 20,000, and the whole of Russia fell to this conspiratorial organization. By 1960, more than a billion people lived suffered under their rule, an accomplishment achieved through terror and murder.As you must surely know, from the outset the United States was considered the main enemy of the Bolsheviks, and that is just as true today. Lenin hinted that in the late stages of the Revolution it would be necessary to feign democratic reforms in Russia in order to strike the final blow against the only country which stood in the way of the establishment of the worldwide dictatorship of the proletariat. It was Antonio Gramsci, founder of the Italian Communist Party, writing from his prison cell, who provided the blueprint for the plan that KGB major and defector Anatoliy Golitsyn warned the West about and which was implemented after Stalin’s death. Gramsci’s long march through the institutions, accomplished through massive deception, infiltration and diversion, has been so wildly successful, based on the work of Sun Tzu as it is, that it is possible that the Clauswitzian shift in strategy may not be needed, or at least that was the hope of Golitsyn, but it is my belief that this final phase will be successful in no other way than the destruction, as per Clauswitz, of 2/3 of the U.S. population, and that is for what the chessboard has been arranged.This is the end predicted by Nietzsche. You, Mike, whether wittingly or not, are doing your small part to achieve it.
Michelle D. Domingo says
June 11, 2013 at 11:52 PMI don’t know how I got to this page, I didn’t see it on anyone’s FB page, I don’t know you, I don’t know Ryan nor anyone else…nevertheless, I am happy to be here, hurt by what happened to your brother and have gladly signed your petition and circulating it on my FB page. I hope you get all the signature you can to keep Austin in jail where he belongs. May God touch your brother Ryan and heal him through his grace, his love, and his blood and make Ryan whole again. May God bless you and your family and may he be with you every step that Ryan takes.
michelle S. says
April 8, 2013 at 1:38 PMI live and massachusetts and just saw this on a friends facebook post and and signed immediately. So glad your brother is getting the attention this case needs thanks to you. This is the first time hearing of this story and i am sick to my stomach . You are an amazing sister and I couldn’t imagine this happening to my brother. I will keep you all in my prayers and hope this piece of Sh*& that did this to him finally gets his and rots in hell. Jail is to good for this punk.
Nicole Merrell says
April 7, 2013 at 5:08 PMSigned and shared in Hawaii!
Lauren says
April 5, 2013 at 12:07 AMMy name is Lauren and I’m from Chicago, IL. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and especially your brother. Stay strong and positive!
crystal says
April 4, 2013 at 9:42 PMMy name is crystal and Im from Columbus Ohio my thoughts and prayers are with you and you are the best sister anyone could ask for hang in there
Jill in Morgantown says
April 4, 2013 at 5:40 PMStill here and praying in Morgantown. Just signed the petition. Sending love your way
Anna says
April 4, 2013 at 9:37 AMWow! Over 100,000 that’s amazing! Well done Kari!
James Garman says
April 4, 2013 at 7:16 AMsigned, and shared here in wamsutter wyoming. Kari i just want to say job well done very well written article very touching filled with heartfelt love. my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family stay strong and god bless.
Lee Anne says
April 4, 2013 at 5:45 AMSigned and shared in Scotland. Kari your family must be so proud of you, what you wrote was lovely. I really hope you get justice, the attacker does not deserve freedom x
Rita N Robert via Facebook says
April 4, 2013 at 1:14 AMLooks like you’re getting several signatures every second! I believe I have seen his picture before but tonight is the first time I have read about what happened. Devastating!! I have signed it and will share it in Iowa. God bless you all. I’m sure it’s been a very difficult road for everyone. The attacker doesn’t deserve to live. He took Ryan’s life away as he and you all knew it. And for what? Nothing. Ryan needs us all to fight for him. He can’t do it alone! Praying for you all!
Rita N Robert via Facebook says
April 4, 2013 at 1:14 AMLooks like you’re getting several signatures every second! I believe I have seen his picture before but tonight is the first time I have read about what happened. Devastating!! I have signed it and will share it in Iowa. God bless you all. I’m sure it’s been a very difficult road for everyone. The attacker doesn’t deserve to live. He took Ryan’s life away as he and you all knew it. And for what? Nothing. Ryan needs us all to fight for him. He can’t do it alone! Praying for you all!
Scott McDade via Facebook says
April 4, 2013 at 12:22 AM100,000 as of a few minutes ago
Scott McDade via Facebook says
April 4, 2013 at 12:22 AM100,000 as of a few minutes ago
Lisa Kennedy says
April 4, 2013 at 12:18 AMWhat two awful human monsters roaming the earth. My heart and prayers for a miracle to u and your family. Signing now to keep him in jail like he has kept your brother in jail in his own body and ruined your families life.
Michelle Bilotti says
April 3, 2013 at 11:43 PMSigned and shared. Prayers to you all.
Katie Hays Powell via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 11:33 PMReading this in Illinois…..your family’s love and support is truly amazing. God bless you all….
Kris Angie Simms via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 11:04 PMThank you so much for sharing
Ryan's Rally: We Got This via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 10:00 PMEvery July, until released, he will get a parole hearing. Please continue to share!
Clare-Elizabeth Quinlan via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 9:50 PMPetition signed here in ireland.
emily dulaney. says
April 3, 2013 at 9:48 PMKari, you & your family are so strong. My brother is my absolute best friend & if this happened to him & i knew who did it.. i wouldnt be so kind as to hoping he stayed in jail bc i would be there. But you guys are much stronger than i. I will be praying everyday for ryans health to get better even though i am not that religious. I saw the video of him giving kisses & i have strong hope you will get your old ryan back. Stay strong! <3
Heather Dominguez says
April 3, 2013 at 9:18 PMHeather Dominguez
I’m very sorry for your family and the monsters that your poor brother had to face. It is unfortunate and I hope this guy rots in jail. I will pray for your family and any kind of miracle to help you through this terrible time.
Stacey Graves says
April 3, 2013 at 8:26 PMYou are such a beautiful family! Ryan is very lucky to have you! They say everything happens for a reason, but we will never understand Gods reasoning for letting such a horrible thing happen to such a good guy, but just try to keep your faith and know we are all in your corner and praying for you!
Pauline Hopper via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 8:14 PMi am new at this…. i signed the petition…… and i also shared it.. they havent made their decision yet correct?? id like to share it everyday so i can have every single person on my fb sign it and then have all of their friends sign it and so on & so on.. PLEASE HELP!
christa says
April 3, 2013 at 6:42 PMSuch a tragedy. Those kids should never be allowed out of jail for what they did. Keep fighting strong and i hope that everything gets better soon! God bless!
Lora Bruno Brown via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 5:42 PMYou are all truly amazing people. What a family! I heard about Ryan for the first time today, and his story (and yours) touched my heart. I will never forget all of you and will figure out a way I can help. Keep up the good fight. <3
lisa jennings says
April 3, 2013 at 5:32 PMShared and signed from Shortsville N.Y. > That monster of a so called human being with no remorse needs to stay behind bars! God bless you all <3
Paula says
April 3, 2013 at 4:50 PMBeautiful, Kari — I couldn’t get through it without crying — you are such an amazing sister and daughter, and a huge blessing to your brother, Mom and Dad. Because of your efforts, the petition is going to hit 100,000K signatures and climbing. More importantly, you’ve reached many new people who did not know Ryan’s story. Keep up the fantastic work — you are getting the attention for Ryan that he needs and keeping him relevant in every way possible. No wonder your Mom and Dad are so very proud of you!!!
Ashley Boone via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 4:23 PMShared and signed Cape Breton Nova Scotia Canada
Cheryl Ann via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 4:17 PMI must say you write very eloquently. I signed the petition! I hope that bastard dosn’t get out <3
Cheryl Ann via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 4:17 PMI must say you write very eloquently. I signed the petition! I hope that bastard dosn’t get out <3
Mindy says
April 3, 2013 at 3:36 PMGod be with u ryan always n forever the word will spread herw in texas!!!
Tina Lance via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 3:31 PMmy prayers are with you an your family;you got this ryan;i signed and shared your story
Gail Doyle says
April 3, 2013 at 3:21 PMKen, 80,000 and more and more each day. That is great ! Beautiful post from Kari
love to you all and please give Ryan a hug from me and Kari too
Ryan's Rally: We Got This via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 2:58 PM80,000 and climbing! https://www.change.org/petitions/deny-parole-to-austin-vantrease#
Ryan's Rally: We Got This via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 2:58 PM80,000 and climbing! https://www.change.org/petitions/deny-parole-to-austin-vantrease#
Renie says
April 3, 2013 at 2:31 PMI keep refreshing the petition page to watch the number of signers climb. It’s jumping two or three signatures every couple of seconds! 🙂
mustangmom says
April 3, 2013 at 2:20 PMread your story for the first time here in NC, right down the road from Duke hospital… signed the petition & shared your story. praying for your family & Ryan
Alicia says
April 3, 2013 at 2:05 PMYour message is being shared in winnipeg, manitoba Canada. Incredible sister your brother has. I gladly signed your petition.
Kari Diviney via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 1:28 PM<3 you pops
Brittany Baumgartner via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 1:26 PMI just have to give her props! She could have bad mouthed what those jerks did to him but she didn’t. She seems like such a beautiful person!
Kate says
April 3, 2013 at 12:48 PMYour message is spreading quickly Kari!! This message has been shared all over my FB page here in Green Bay, WI!!! Here in packer nation we are passionate to the core, so we are happy to send our love, support, and passion of all things amazing and beautiful, to you and your amazing family!! We’re praying hard for your family, Ryan especially!! Please continue t keep us updated! All my love! XOXO
Jordan Gemboys says
April 3, 2013 at 12:35 PMPrayers from KS
David Chagnon via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 12:29 PMEveryone needs to keep spreading the good word!
Heidi Pearson via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 12:27 PMSigned and Shared in Iowa! Prayers to you and your family..
Jenny says
April 3, 2013 at 12:17 PMI just read your family’s story on Facebook and wanted to let you know, that I immediately signed your petition. I’m still in shock that people can be so cruel. Stay strong and continue to fight. It will be worth it. You are an AMAZING person and an incredible sister to your brother.
Miranda Dyer via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 12:10 PMToday was the first time I heard of Ryan’s story. Kari, your post is going viral! Petition has been signed and shared! I pray Ryan gets the justice he deserves and my heart goes out to you all! Keep fighting Ryan! You got this! <3
Tammylynn Day says
April 3, 2013 at 11:59 AMstill prayer and supporting !
Gretchen Vietmeier Merrell via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 11:47 AMA friend posted it this morning, and I did a double take when I realized that it came from her and not from you…
Kari, you are a remarkable person and undoubtedly a very bright light for your parents and Ryan. I so hope that Ryan will be able to thank you for being his advocate some day.
Jennifer Horton Caito via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 11:45 AMThis is the exact post that made me aware of your journey a few weeks ago! I signed the anti-parole petition and shared it right away. I also check it daily, I love watching that number grow!
Jamie Shelley via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 11:45 AMShared it in Ohio! Like you guys said….We Got This!! Ryan deserves it!
Shell Zeplin via Facebook says
April 3, 2013 at 11:37 AMA friend who went to WVU shared her post, which is how I, here in NJ, learned of Ryan’s story. So well written.