WDBJ anchor Chris Hurst bought his girlfriend, Alison Parker, tickets to a Taylor Swift concert to celebrate six months together. Parker was murdered along with photographer Adam Ward during a live shot on the Roanoke, Va. CBS affiliate’s morning show in August.
After Parker’s death, Hurst said he had to decide what to do with the tickets. Instead of going by himself or taking Parker’s mom, Hurst gave the tickets to Hope, a girl Parker met while doing a special called Childhood Lost. Parker called the girl Hope “because Alison felt at the time there was a responsibility not to bring her any undue harm for sharing her story.”
Many of you have complimented me during this time, calling me strong and brave. But Hope lived for many years in deplorable conditions. She was neglected by her parents, forced to steal ketchup packets at school for a snack. That’s strength and bravery. Alison was deeply touched by learning Hope’s story and vowed to honor her with more reporting on child abuse and neglect. All I have done is simply vow to honor Alison with trying to create as much joy as I can through the trauma and chaos.
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A local radio station worked with Swift’s label to arrange a meet and greet between the two. Hurst tweeted out a picture of Swift with Hope.
How cool is this? @taylorswift13 and Alison's special girl. Humbled. pic.twitter.com/urvCJlMxwo
— Chris Hurst (@chrishurstwdbj) October 22, 2015