Bride-to-be killed in hit-and-run just a week before she was due to get married

02 October 2023 , 09:27

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'Do the right thing, turn yourself in,' dad Lew appealed to the driver who killed daughter Elyse Ilene Bodee (Image: GoFundMe)

The parents of a bride-to-be are pleading for justice after their daughter was killed in a hit-and-run accident just a week before her wedding.

Elyse Bodee was hit in downtown Cleveland as she walked home from work at a popular local restaurant. Cleveland Police say the incident happened at around 2.30am on Sunday morning, with the driver fleeing the scene.

30-year-old Elyse died at the scene, she was identified by the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office. Her parents are devastated by the sudden loss of their daughter.

Parents Lew and Mariam Bodee said: "5.30 in the morning, the Cleveland Police were at our door [saying] that our daughter had been run over in the street Downtown. She wasn't hit by the driver, they said it was a black SUV playing loud music and he literally went over her and drove away."

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30-year-old Elyse, with her dad Lew, died at the scene

Now, they're pleading with the driver to come forward. They said: “We really hope that whoever is responsible, does the right thing. Turn yourself in. She was our baby. She just turned 30 in May. Her fiancé proposed, they were gonna get married, going to Key West, Florida next week to get married. She never got married, she never had babies, we can’t bring her back. Please, we want justice.”

Lew said his wife is now "beside herself" after their "very personable, bubbly, happy" passed away. Pained, he told Cleveland.com that he would miss her senidn him dad jokes on a daily basis.

To the driver of the vehicle that hit her, Lew said: "What made you feel that you needed to flee? Were you drinking or you were afraid of the consequences? And was that more important than someone lying in the street?

"Do the right thing, turn yourself in. And if anyone knows about it, please come forward. It’s a horrible thing. You’re not supposed to outlive your child."

The parents hope the driver of the vehicle that killed their daughter will come forward

A GoFundMe set up for funeral costs far surpassed the $7,000 target and has raised over $11,000 so far. One touching comment said they met Elyse only a short time before while she was working at the Cordelia restaurant.

It read: "My husband and son met your daughter only once for about 2 hours. In that short time she made a huge impression. We remembered her name, her face, her smile, her warmth and her kindness. Wednesday night we sat in the back booth at Cordelia’s for dinner before the Peter Gabriel concert.

"We were so shocked and heartbroken to see the photo and learn what happened only a few days later. Our deepest sympathies to you and all who loved your daughter! There are no words, but pray you are surrounded by love to help carry you through."

Benjamin Lynch