Had she not died at the hands of her adoptive parents when she was 14 years old, Hana Williams–born Hana Alemu in Ethiopia–would now be almost 29 years old.

Hana died in the backyard of her adoptive home, on a chilly day, 15 years ago. She weighed about 80 pounds at the time of her death, less than what she had weighed upon arrival from Ethiopia in 2008.

Her cause of death was determined to be hypothermia and severe malnutrition. She had been in the United States just three years.

Her adoptive parents, Larry and Carri Williams, were found guilty of homicide in 2013 and remain in prison. Carri was sentenced to 37 years, so she could be free in 2050. Larry was sentenced to 28 years, so he could be free in 2041.

Larry and Carri had seven biological children, who witnessed the horrific abuse of Hana and the other Ethiopian adoptee in their home, Immanuel. The children also witnessed Hana’s death, and then the trial of their parents for manslaughter, homicide by abuse, snd assault of a child.

I don’t have any update on Immanuel, who would be about 27 now. He may have had a hard life in Ethiopia. He certainly had a horrific life with his adoptive family.

Hana had left Ethiopia for a better life, which turned into cruelty, abuse, starvation, punishment, and ultimately death at the hands of people who had been entrusted to love her and keep her safe.

She died three days after Mother’s Day in 2011. I think often of her, and of her Ethiopian family.

I took the photo above about 2 years ago. It was a beautiful day in Sedro-Wooley, Washington. I was glad to pause to spend time there, and was struck by how isolated her grave spot is. The site is to the right of center of the photo, by itself.

Ethiopia ended international adoption in 2018, in part due to Hana’s death.

May Hana rest in power. We remember you, and keep you in our hearts.