Fifth serial killer victim dies in hospital | www.gaffneyledger.com

Abby Leigh Tyler, 15, of Wind Farm Road, died at 11:25 a.m. at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center, where she was being treated, Cherokee County Coroner Dennis Fowler confirmed during a 3 p.m. press conference at the Cherokee County Law Enforcement Center.

15-year-old Abby Tyler

Friends reacted to the news, which had been spreading in the hours before the official confirmation, with both shock and sadness, remembering the rising Gaffney High School junior as genuine, funny, faithful to God, and for having a big heart.

Abby Tyler and her father, Stephen Tyler, 48, were both found shot inside the family business, Tyler Home Center, on East Frederick Street in Gaffney. Stephen Tyler was pronounced dead at the scene. Abby Tyler was airlifted to Spartanburg.

"God knows what is best and he has the master plan," Beshada McGregor wrote in a response to an open request for memories of her. "Abby and her father are in a much better place. They were angels on Earth and now they are with God being angels in Heaven."

Every press conference held in the case so far has attracted both local and national media attention. CNN was among the news networks drawn to Gaffney on Saturday.

"As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for the Tyler family," Fowler told the news media. "They have asked me to ask you to respect their privacy."

Five people have now died since a nightmarish week began last Saturday with the shooting of prominent local peach grower Kline Cash, 63, inside his Battleground Road home.

On Wednesday, police say the same killer targeted 83-year-old Hazel Linder and her 50-year-old daughter, Gena Linder Parker, inside Linder's home on Buck Shoals Road.

Stephen Tyler and Abby Tyler were found shot inside his business at 7:15 p.m. Thursday.

The killings have resulted in a massive police response that includes more than 100 investigators and crime scene specialists from multiple local, state and federal agencies.

Anyone with information is asked to call Cherokee County CrimeStoppers at (864)489-2746.