In a heartbreaking revelation, Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, shared that she continues to wear her late husband’s Saint Michael the Archangel pendant, still marked with his blood from the day he was tragically killed, as Breitbart reports.

In an emotional interview, Erika discussed her profound grief, her new leadership role at Turning Point USA, her stance on the accused killer’s punishment, and the personal support she received from former President Donald Trump following Charlie’s assassination on Sept. 10 at a Utah campus event.

The tragedy unfolded during a Turning Point USA event at Utah Valley University. Charlie Kirk had embarked on a 20-campus college tour, a mission he pursued despite receiving death threats throughout 2025. For months, he traveled with security to ensure his safety.

Final moments recounted

The night before the shooting, Charlie and Erika shared a poignant moment with a faith leader friend over dinner in Phoenix. They prayed together, seeking strength for the journey ahead. It was a rare quiet evening before the storm of the tour.

Erika had urged Charlie to take extra precautions, pleading with him to wear a bulletproof vest for his appearances. He declined, expressing faith in his security team. When a friend suggested speaking behind protective glass, Charlie simply responded, “Not yet.”

Charlie’s trust in his team proved insufficient when a .30-06 Springfield round struck him in the neck during the Utah event. Medics, in a desperate attempt to save him, tore the Saint Michael pendant from his body while trying to stop the bleeding. Despite their efforts, he could not be saved.

Erika’s heart-wrenching goodbye

Against the advice of the Utah sheriff, Erika insisted on seeing her husband’s body after the shooting. She told the sheriff, “With all due respect, I want to see what they did to my husband.” Her determination to confront the reality of his loss was unwavering.

Describing the moment she saw Charlie, Erika noted his expression seemed peaceful. She recalled, “His eyes were semi-open, and he had this knowing, Mona Lisa-like half-smile. Like he’d died happy.”

She continued, “Like Jesus rescued him. The bullet came, he blinked, and he was in heaven.” This image of Charlie’s serene face has stayed with her, offering a sliver of comfort amid the pain.

Navigating grief

Erika’s grief now permeates her daily life, as she struggles to cope with Charlie’s absence. She admitted, “To this day, I can’t go into my bedroom. I’m rotating where I sleep.”

Simple reminders of Charlie, like his last used shower towels, remain untouched as she cannot bring herself to wash them. The memories are both a solace and a source of anguish. Her home feels like a shrine to their shared life.

Charlie had sometimes spoken of the possibility of a violent end, a thought that deeply unsettled Erika and his colleagues. Despite these forebodings, his resolve to connect with audiences in person never wavered. His courage, in hindsight, feels both inspiring and tragic.

Stepping into leadership while seeking justice

In the wake of her loss, Erika has taken on a significant new role as the head of Turning Point USA, a position unanimously approved by the organization’s board this week. She steps into Charlie’s shoes with a heavy heart but a firm commitment. Her leadership marks a new chapter for the group.

On the matter of justice for the accused killer, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, Erika has chosen not to personally demand the death penalty. She explained, “I’ve had so many people ask, ‘Do you feel anger toward this man? Like, do you want to seek the death penalty?’ I’ll be honest.”

She continued, “I told our lawyer, I want the government to decide this. I do not want that man’s blood on my ledger. Because when I get to heaven, and Jesus is like: ‘Uh, eye for an eye? Is that how we do it?’ And that keeps me from being in heaven, from being with Charlie?” Her faith guides her stance on this deeply personal issue.