NEED TO KNOW
-
Christina Grimmie was a popular singer who competed in Season 6. show "The Voice".
-
The 22-year-old singer was fatally shot during a fan meeting on June 10, 2016.
-
The Grimmie family established a foundation in her honor and posthumously released some of her songs.
Christina Grimmie, singer and songwriter, was murdered 10 years ago, on June 10, 2016.
She rose to fame through her popular YouTube cover videos before taking part in Season 6. The Voice show« in 2014. Grimmie finished third thanks to the help of her mentor Adam Levine, who later offered her a contract with his record label.
After completing her participation in the singing competition, she signed a contract with Island Records and released her second EP, Side A. In addition to singing and writing her own music, Grimmie was just beginning to try her hand at acting.
However, Grimmie's life was cut short when an obsessed fan fatally shot her during an autograph signing near downtown Orlando. Her brother, Marcus, wrestled the shooter to the ground, but Grimmie's wounds were fatal, and she died that night, on June 10, 2016. She was 22 years old.
The shooter, later identified as Kevin James Loibl, broke free from Marcus's grasp and committed suicide. Loibl did not disclose a motive before his death, but police reports claim he was obsessed with Grimmie and considered her his "soulmate.".
In the years since her death, the Grimmie family continues to honor the memory of their beloved relative and her passion for music.
Here's what you need to know about the murder of Christina Grimmie.
Who was Christina Grimmie?
Christina Grimmie performs at an iHeartRadio event on May 16, 2015, in Whitehall, Pennsylvania. Photo: Lisa Lake/Getty
Grimmie was a rising star in the world of music and entertainment who began sharing her singing and songwriting with the world when she launched her YouTube channel in 2009 at the age of 15. Her videos eventually garnered millions of views, especially when she collaborated with other YouTubers and singers.
By 2011, Grimmie was already performing as a backing vocalist at concerts and opening for Selena Gomez and The Scene. Later that year, she released her first EP, Find Me , which hit the charts Billboard 200. In 2013, Grimmie released her debut studio album. With Love and in the same year reached the 2 million subscriber mark.
Grimmie made her mark on the national stage when she auditioned for Season 6 of the NBC singing competition in 2014. «"Voice"» . All four mentors—Levine, Usher, Shakira, and Blake Shelton—turned their chairs in her direction, but she ultimately chose Levine. She reached the finals and finished third.
Despite Levine's invitation to sign Grimmie with his label, she chose Island Records and began working on her second album. In the summer of 2014, she released the single "Must Be Love" and later collaborated with Dove Cameron on the song "What A Girl Is.".
Over the next two years, Grimmie released the singles "Cliché," "Stay with Me," and "Shrug," as well as her second EP, Side A.
In addition to her passion for music, Grimmie also began acting in films and appeared in the film «Matchstick Destroyer» 2016. She also collaborated with animal rights organizations.
What happened to Grimmy?
On the evening of June 10, 2016, Grimmie performed with the band Before You Exit at The Plaza Live near downtown Orlando. After her performance, Grimmie held a meet-and-greet with fans.
About 20 minutes into the signing, 27-year-old Loibl approached her. As he approached, Grimmie opened her arms for a hug, after which he shot her three times in the head and chest.
Grimmie's brother, Marcus, wrestled Loibl to the ground, but the killer escaped and committed suicide with a gunshot to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Grimmie, meanwhile, was rushed to the hospital, where she died approximately 30 minutes after the shooting, News 6 reports.
Musicians and artists, including Levin, publicly mourned her death.
«God, how I loved her,» he said emotionally in one episode. The Voice show« . "I miss her. It's not fair that she's not here. We'll sing a little song. I'll sing every word in her honor... Christina, we love you.".
Her mentor, Selena Gomez, wrote on her account: "My heart is broken. I miss you, Christina.".
Why did Loibl kill Grimmy?
Kevin James Loibl. Photo: Orlando Police.
Orlando police launched a murder investigation and the following day publicly named Loibl as the shooter.
During the investigation, police said Loibl traveled from his hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida, with a plan to kill Grimmie.
«"He apparently came here to commit this crime," Police Chief John Mina told reporters at the time, according to CBC News.
They later reported that Loibl had legally purchased the two pistols he brought with him, as well as a hunting knife.
Since Loibl committed suicide without leaving any messages before his death, the exact motive for his murder remains unclear.
However, one of his friends, Corey Dennington, later admitted that Loibl had developed an obsession with Grimmie. Dennington told police that Loibl's obsession intensified in the year before the murder and that he "monitored everything related to her," CNN reports.
Dennington stated that Loibl "spent most of his waking hours watching Christina's YouTube videos and also constantly monitoring her social media accounts.".
About two months before Grimmie's murder, Loibl allegedly became "angry and defensive" when Dennington questioned his belief that he was or could be in a relationship with the singer.
«"He said Loibl wouldn't consider the idea that his plan wouldn't work, and when Dennington did, he threatened to end their friendship. Loibl never specified what he would do if he met Christina, but he called her his 'soulmate,'" the report states.
A concertgoer later told PEOPLE that Loibl looked "pretty creepy" while standing in line.
What is Grimmie's legacy?
Christina Grimmie performs on stage at the 2015 iHeartRadio Music Festival at MGM Grand Garden Arena on September 18, 2015 in Las Vegas. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty.
The Grimmie family made sure her legacy lives on forever by posthumously releasing a four-part music video for her Side A album , as well as the single "Invisible", EP Side B and the album All Is Vanity .
In addition to distributing their beloved singer's music, the Grimmie family also founded the Christina Grimmie Foundation to raise funds to help families affected by gun violence. According to its website, the foundation has donated nearly $600,000 to 300 families since its inception in 2017.
Both Levin and the show's host «"Voice"» Carson Daly helped announce the foundation's creation in within the framework of the same show.
«Tonight, in memory of our dear friend, we, along with Christina’s family, are honored to announce the Christina Grimmie Foundation, which will provide assistance to survivors of gun violence and families like hers facing breast cancer,» Daly said in 2017. «Thank you for allowing us to be a part of this very important moment. And Christina, we feel your spirit here in The Voice, every day, and we love you and miss you very much.".
In June 2026, the foundation held Grimmie Fest, a festival dedicated to the singer's life, music, and mission. On June 10, a documentary about Grimmie was released on YouTube, marking the 10th anniversary of her murder.
Read the original article on People.