Today was the first time Tyler King spoke to a news station by himself.
The 16-year-old said he doesn’t go a day without thinking of his sister Chelsea, who was killed in 2010 by convicted murderer John Gardner.
“She's always there. I'm just walking down the street, I'll see things that remind me of her,” Tyler said. “Sometimes it’s sad. Sometimes it’s happy. Overall, I'd like to think of it as a happy thing because she's my sister.”
Tyler is now on a mission, to inspire others to speak out against sexual predators. He came up with the idea to make a documentary and share his very personal story with young people.
“I want to empower kids to use their voices because an issue like sexual predators, it's mainly happening to kids and the kids need to get out there and use their voice,” he said.
Tyler was 13 when Chelsea was murdered and said he fought overwhelming sadness and depression. Following the tragedy, the King family moved to Illinois, in part, to give Tyler new surroundings.
“I've come to terms, things have sunken in and I've come to terms with what has happened and now all there is, is to make a difference,” he said.
Tyler said working on the documentary is what Chelsea would want him to be doing and he sees himself as someone who can make a difference.
“I'm always willing to talk and I'm not afraid to express my emotions to people about things that I've gone through,” he said.
Tyler says he one day wants to be a journalist – and he's off to a good start writing on his high school's student newspaper, helping to staff the opinion page.
The King family worked to pass Chelsea’s Law in California. The measure was signed into law in February 2011.
The legislation enhanced criminal sentences for violent sexual offenders that commit crimes against children. It also provides for mandated lifetime parole and GPS monitoring and the creation of "Safe Zones" which prohibits registered sex offenders from going places where children are known to congregate.
Chelsea's life will be remembered on Saturday at "Finish Chelsea's Run." The event begins at 7:30 a.m. at Balboa Park. NBC 7’s Artie Ojeda will be part of the event, serving as emcee.
Money raised at the 5k event will help fund scholarships for local students headed to college and support effort to continue the expansion of Chelsea's Law.
