The 7-year-old girl who survived an apparent murder-suicide Monday in Byron, Wyoming, was still holding onto life Thursday morning, with medical professionals and her loved ones monitoring her brain swelling closely.
Olivia is the lone survivor of a five-person shooting in which her mother, Tranyelle Harshman, shot Olivia and her three sisters, then turned the gun on herself in what has been described as a severe mental health breach after months of depression and other struggles.
Three children died on scene. Harshman died Tuesday in a hospital in Billings, Montana.
Olivia is recovering from a brain surgery in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Her brain swelling reached a concerning level Thursday morning, her father Quinn Blackmer told Cowboy State Daily.
Medical professionals were expecting Thursday to be one of the worst days for brain swelling. They haven’t had to induce a coma yet, but that’s still on the table, Blackmer said.
“It’s the tougher of the times, the things we have to battle are a little closer together, and getting her regulated on (swelling) spikes is about what they’re focusing on now,” he said. “She’s still fighting, still responsive to medication — doing good.”
There won’t be any real answers about what to do next until her swelling goes down, he added.
Blackmer said his wife Katelynn “has been an absolute rock” in taking care of Blackmer and their 1-year-old son.
Blackmer also is mourning his oldest daughter, 9-year-old Brailey, who died Monday.
Grieving In Wyoming
Brailey’s stepfather Cliff Harshman, who is also the father of the two young girls who died on scene, is also in a deep state of mourning.
Cliff described Brailey as “incredible. So smart. Interested in learning everything.”
Brailey wanted to be a scientist. She was caring, and an “all-around, amazing kid,” added Cliff Harshman, fighting back tears during his Thursday phone interview with Cowboy State Daily.
He shared the two younger victims with Tranyelle. Brooke was about to turn 3 this month. Jordan was on the younger side of age 2.
They were “bundles of joy. Ornery, happy. Just incredible little people,” said Cliff.
They loved playing in the dirt but also loved getting prettied up, he said.
“You didn’t know what you were gonna get,” he added, wracked with tears. “I’m going to miss them.”
Quinn Blackmer with his dauthers, Brailey and Olivia. (Courtesy Quinn Blackmer) 
A Byron, Wyoming, mother shot her four daughters, called 911 to report it, then shot herself in the head Monday, the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office reported Tuesday. Three children are dead, while the condition of the fourth and mother are unknown. (Via Tranyelle Harshman's Facebook)
Keep Praying
Cliff Harshman said Wednesday that he is just trying to make it to each next breath and each next task.
Though he’s been dealing with the many logistics of this tragedy from his original hometown of Powell, Wyoming, just a few minutes from Byron, Cliff has been watching for his chance to get to Olivia’s bedside — and he’s praying for her constantly.
He asks anyone reading about the case to “keep sending as much love and prayers that way as you can.”
“We’re all rooting for her; we’re all praying hard,” said Cliff. “And (Blackmer) — and the family — that they find some comfort and peace through all this hell.”
In an interview Wednesday, Cliff Harshman told Cowboy State Daily that though his wife had been struggling with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and post-partum depression, her sudden snap came as a complete shock. He remembers her as a loving wife and mother, fiercely devoted to her children.
Two Gofundme pages have been confirmed as legitimate: one for Olivia's care and recovery, and another dedicated to helping Cliff Harshman navigate the numerous difficulties of the tragedy.
Also Read
Dad Of Two Girls Shot In Byron Murder-Suicide Pleads, “Pray For My Baby”
Husband Of Woman In Byron Murder-Suicide Says She Was Depressed, Struggling
Clair McFarland can be reached at clair@cowboystatedaily.com.
