Christina Grimmie’s Tourmates Return To Venue Where She Died: It Was ‘So Hard’

Before You Exit, the band touring with Christina Grimmie when she was brutally murdered by a fan, had to make a heartbreaking trip back to the Orlando venue where she died to pick up their gear. They called the experience “so hard,” to say the least.

This poor band. Christina Grimmie, 22, was far from just an opening act for the boys of Before You Exit; she was “an angel, sister, and a beloved friend,” as described by the band in a beautiful statement on the band’s Twitter account on June 13. The band was forced to go back to Plaza Live, the Orlando venue where she was mercilessly slaughtered by a deranged fan on June 11 after their show together, so they could pick up their gear. The band called the experience incredibly hard.

“So hard going back to the venue today to get our gear. We left the lights on in your green room and prayed over the area of your death. I will love you for all eternity and can’t wait to see you again and have an epic Smash battle,” Before You Exit’s merchandise manager, Anthony Najarian, tweeted on June 13, accompanied by a photo of a small memorial left in Christina’s dressing room. The band left flowers and a heart with the word “radiate” written on it, in honor of their fallen tourmate. 

Anthony also tweeted a sweet pic of Before You Exit and their entire crew on June 12 as they reunited after Christina’s tragic death, captioned, “Wishing you were here with us, but joyful knowing we are here for you all together. “God is good all the time.” We’re tearing up. What a traumatic experience for everyone touring with Christina.

The band had just finished an incredible show with her for their Orlando audience, and she had gone outside the venue to sign autographs for fans and sell merchandise. Deranged fan Kevin James Loibl, 27, shot and killed her when it was his turn in line, as she reached out her arms for a hug.

PICS — Christina Grimmie’s Candlelight Vigil & Memorial

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Today we lost an angel, sister, and a beloved friend. #RipChristina pic.twitter.com/EkwTKsaLFr

— Before You Exit⇞ (@beforeyouexit) June 11, 2016

“Tell everyone you love them while you have the chance because tomorrow is never promised,” Before You Exit band member Riley McDonough tweeted the night that Christina lost her life. What a remarkable life that was extinguished far too soon. The Voice season six finalist and up-and-coming singer was an incredible talent who was going to go far if she had not had that chance stolen from her by a sicko.

HollywoodLifers, our thoughts are with Before You Exit during their difficult time.