Fort Hood victim’s daughter slams plan to livestream killer’s execution: ‘This isn’t justice’

FORT HOOD, TEXAS: Keely Cahill Vanacker, daughter of Fort Hood shooting victim Michael Cahill, has spoken out against plans to livestream the execution of the man who killed her father, calling it “absolutely the worst thing that you can do.”

Her remarks come as former Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on December 3.

Appearing on CNN’s ‘The Lead’, Vanacker told host Jake Tapper that the renewed attention surrounding Hasan had reopened painful memories for her family. She also questioned the decision to broadcast the execution, saying it would not bring closure to the victims’ loved ones.

Keely Cahill Vanacker opposes Nidal Hasan execution livestream

When Tapper asked about the proposed livestream, Vanacker said the plan had little to do with justice and risked turning a painful chapter in the victims’ families’ lives into public entertainment.

“I think that is absolutely the worst thing that you can do. I think this has nothing to do with justice. This is becoming a tragedy turning into entertainment. And I can’t imagine with social media how horrific it would be and how widespread it would be,” she said.

Vanacker said the renewed publicity had brought back painful memories, explaining that it “opens up all the old wounds.” “This isn’t a journey that any of us wanted to be on,” she added.

She questioned whether broadcasting the execution would serve any meaningful purpose for those who had spent years living with the consequences of the attack

Michael Cahill killed in 2009 Fort Hood shooting

Vanacker’s father, Michael Cahill, was among the 13 people killed when Hasan opened fire at Fort Hood, Texas, in 2009. The attack also wounded 32 others.

Cahill was a husband and father of three. His death left his family grappling with a loss that has resurfaced as plans for Hasan’s execution draw renewed attention.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently announced that the Pentagon planned to livestream the execution, which is scheduled for December 3.

President Donald Trump initially endorsed the proposal but has since reportedly expressed doubts about it.

The announcement has renewed discussion about the case, with Vanacker questioning whether making the execution available for public viewing would help the families affected by the shooting.

“This does not bring anyone’s family back. Livestreaming isn’t closure for any of us,” she said.

Vanacker clarified that she could not speak for every family. However, she said several relatives she had spoken with were prepared for Hasan’s execution and wanted it to take place as a form of closure.

Even among those family members, she said, livestreaming was not considered acceptable. “This is just a really horrible reaction and a way to handle the situation,” Vanacker said.

Pentagon failed to inform Fort Hood victim’s family

Vanacker also revealed that neither Hegseth nor anyone from the Pentagon or the White House had contacted her family about the proposed livestream.

She noted that prosecutors had regularly consulted victims’ relatives about major decisions during Hasan’s court-martial, making the lack of communication particularly troubling.

Instead, Vanacker learned about the plan through an Instagram Reel her son sent her.

As a result, she learned about a decision directly connected to her father’s killer through social media rather than from government officials.