15-Year-Old Brynnlee Hampton Remembered
Tragic New Year
A New Year’s Eve gathering in Amarillo meant to welcome 2026 ended in tragedy when
“fifteen-year-old Brynnlee Hampton lost her life shortly after midnight.”
What should have been a simple ride home became a devastating loss for her family and community.
What Happened
Police were called to Westwind Avenue around “1:10 a.m.”
and found Brynnlee critically injured in a car with six other teens unharmed.
Authorities confirmed her death was “not the result of a traffic collision,”
but unsafe behavior inside the moving vehicle.
Investigation
Court records describe a firearm being handled recklessly when it discharged.
Panic followed, with attempts to delay calling for help and the weapon discarded.
Felony charges were filed, including “a manslaughter charge.”
Remembering Brynnlee
Her family remembers her as “a bright, faith-centered young woman,”
a student-athlete whose death is a stark reminder that
“a single careless moment can carry lifelong consequences.”
