Erika Kirk insisted on seeing Charlie's body after his death: ‘He was in heaven’

Erika Kirk insisted on seeing her husband Charlie Kirk’s body after his death, describing his 'Mona Lisa-like half-smile' and how she is coping deeply
PUBLISHED SEP 21, 2025
Erika Kirk shared how she pleaded with Charlie Kirk to wear a bulletproof vest, but he refused, trusting his security and the event’s protection(Instagram/@mrserikakirk)
Erika Kirk shared how she pleaded with Charlie Kirk to wear a bulletproof vest, but he refused, trusting his security and the event’s protection(Instagram/@mrserikakirk)

GLENDALE, ARIZONA: Erika Kirk, newly named chair of Turning Point USA, has opened up about the painful moments following the shooting death of her husband, Charlie Kirk.

Despite being urged to stay away, she insisted on seeing his body at the hospital, describing it as her final chance to say goodbye.

Erika Kirk says Charlie Kirk has 'Mona Lisa-like half-smile' after death

Erika, in an interview with The New York Times, remembered what followed after the shooting.

She said a sheriff urged her not to see her husband’s body because the bullet had gone through his neck.

“With all due respect, I want to see what they did to my husband,” she said, describing how she kissed him goodbye at the hospital.

Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his
Charlie Kirk speaks at Utah Valley University on September 10, 2025 in Orem, Utah. Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, was speaking at his 'American Comeback Tour' when he was shot in the neck and killed (Trent Nelson/The Salt Lake Tribune/Getty Images)

“His eyes were semi-open, and he had this knowing, Mona Lisa-like half-smile. Like he’d died happy. Like Jesus rescued him. The bullet came, he blinked, and he was in heaven,” Erika said.

Erika Kirk reveal she is coping husband Charlie Kirk's death by feeling deeply 

In the interview, Erika revealed how worried they were about him. Even during one dinner conversation, Erika pleaded with her husband to wear a bulletproof vest, but he declined.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 19: Charlie Kirk (R) and and his wife Erika Lane Frantzve (L) on stage during the Turning Point USA Inaugural-Eve Ball at the Salamander Hotel on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images)
Charlie Kirk and his wife Erika Lane Frantzve on stage during the Turning Point USA Inaugural-Eve Ball at the Salamander Hotel on January 19, 2025 in Washington, DC (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

After this, her friend suggested bulletproof glass, to which Charlie said, “Not yet,” Erika recalled him saying, before adding that he trusted his security team and the extra protection at the Utah Valley University event.

Erika explained how she has been coping with her husband’s death. “I’m allowing myself to feel this so deeply,” she said, adding, “without medication, without alcohol. The Lord is giving me discernment.”

GET BREAKING U.S. NEWS & POLITICAL UPDATES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

JD Vance lashed out at Kamala Harris over the economy and border policy, while praising the Trump administration for 'restoring sanity at the border'
56 minutes ago
Donald Trump showed granddaughter Kai Trump a salvaged Abraham Lincoln bust in the West Wing, saying he saved it from the East Wing
1 hour ago
Smith says Trump is responding not to elections, but to Democrat's efforts to put him 'behind bars.'
1 hour ago
JD Vance told the crowd at TPUSA's AmericaFest that Tyler Robinson is a 'crystal clear image of how the left wants young men to be'
1 hour ago
Laura Loomer said her criticism of Tucker Carlson was meant to shield Vice President JD Vance and protect Republican chances in 2028
1 hour ago
Donald Trump jokingly threatened to 'fire' Don Jr during a playful speakerphone call at the Turning Point USA AmericaFest in Phoenix
2 hours ago
During his speech at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest 2025, JD Vance took jabs at Jasmine Crockett and said her 'record speaks for itself'
2 hours ago
Nicki Minaj criticized what she described as anti-Christian attitudes in the US and abroad, urging leaders to respect religious freedom
2 hours ago
Pam Bondi reaffirms DOJ will prosecute anyone involved in Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes
3 hours ago
Jesse Watters shared behind-the-scenes Trump anecdotes at AmericaFest, blending humor about the mugshot, White House visits, and Fox News survival
3 hours ago