Family members remember shooting victim Maelyn Lind

OCONOMOWOC -- The family of 38-year-old Maelyn Lind -- one of three killed in the shooting at Azana Salon & Spa held a press conference Tuesday, October 23rd at the Stone Bank Fire Department, where a statement was read following Sunday's shooting.

Lind's daughter, 19-year-old Kaela Lind read a statement from the family.

"She died a hero not only to those at Azana on Sunday, but she was also our hero. She worked very hard and took great care of us. Best of all, she was the coolest mom. I could only hope to be as great a mom as she was," Kaela Lind said.

Lind's family was told Lind jumped in front of the daughter of Zina Haughton (the shooter's wife) -- acting as a shield when 45-year-old Radcliffe Haughton fired his gun.

"She died a martyr and she was Zina's friend. She knew all about the whole mess that was going on. It does not surprise me at all that she stepped in to try and save somebody else's life," Lind's father, Keith Hanson said.

Lind's daughter Kaela said Lind was thrilled to be a grandmother to two grandchildren.

"Every time she came home, she wanted to hold and see her babies," Kaela Lind said.

Lind's father said Lind was a selfless woman who worked three jobs to support her family and would drop all of her plans to help a friend.

"She is now one of God's angels and is still here with us. I cannot begin to tell you how much she is missed," Hanson said.

Lind worked at Azana Salon & Spa. She was one of three killed in the shooting. Haughton's wife, Zina Haughton was also killed, along with 35-year-old Cary Robuck of Racine.

Haughton's body was found inside the salon. He died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Four others were injured in the shooting and taken to Froedtert Hospital with gunshot wounds.

In a statement sent to FOX6 News earlier Tuesday, Lind's family had the following to say:

"The Lind and Hanson family would like all to know that the death of Maelyn is a tragic loss for our family. We have been comforted by the outpouring of support from both family and friends.

Maelyn will always be remembered as a wonderful wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, and community member. Her infectious smile will always be remembered by all in the Lake Country area. We will miss her willingness to assist all who were in need.

Maelyn is survived by Timothy her husband. Tim and Maelyn are proud parents of Kaela, nineteen, Kody, seventeen, Kolten, thirteen and Kammeron, eleven. A grandson Xander who was born on August 29th of this year and granddaughter Lily who was born on September 19th of this year are also treasured throughout the family. Special friends to her children, Logan Krivitz (father of Xander) and Alyssa Phillips (mother of Lily) were dear friends to Maelyn, and she cared for them as her own.  Maelyn is survived by loving parents Marsha and Keith Hanson who have been involved throughout the years with all of the children."

Also Tuesday, Sara Junio, who was close friends with Lind told FOX6 News for 11 years, Lind was her hair stylist and close confidant.

"For women, a good hair dresser is like having a good friend because your hair dresser knows you better than anyone else in your family because if you think about it, when we get our hair colored, we have two hours to sit in a chair and chat so you know that person -- whether it was Maelyn learning about me or me learning about Maelyn and her family," Junio said.

Junio said her appointments with Lind were about so much more than hair.

"It was all about therapy. It's your good friend. You sit down and she knows you for better or worse, similar to how your husband knows you," Junio said.

Junio said she knew Lind was set to work on Sunday, and when Lind didn't return Junio's calls or texts, Junio said she began to worry. That night, her concern had melted into heartbreak and shock.

"As a Christian, you're always working through your beliefs and preparing for the inevitable but until it hits you, you step back and realize, 'how could I ever prepare for when a good friend passes?'" Junio said.

In the hours that followed the shooting, Junio heard stories of Lind stepping in front of the gunman.

"While I wanna scream at the top of my lungs 'how could you, Maelyn, do this?!' the belief inside of me is she was just doing what she does, just protecting and helping others," Junio said.

Monday, a day after the deadly shooting, parishioners at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Oconomowoc held a prayer vigil in memory of Lind. One woman who works at the church told FOX6 News Monday was a very difficult day as they all tried to cope with the loss of Lind.

The salon's Facebook page filled up with messages about Lind after the shooting. One woman thanked Lind for the joy she brought her on her wedding day. A couple people remembered Lind bragging about her new grandson while styling their hair.

Pastor Lance O'Donnell from St. Paul's has met with the Lind family. He released the following statement: "As a Christian community, the people of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church 'weep with those who weep.' (Romans 12:16) We weep with the family of our own Maelyn Lind and with the other families impacted by the aimless violence in Brookfield, yet as a Christian community 'we do not grieve as those who have no hope, for since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.' (1 Thessalonians 4:14)."

A memorial fund has been established in Lind's honor. Donations can be made at the BMO Harris Bank in Oconomowoc on Pabst Farm Circle.

CLICK HERE for additional coverage of the Azana Salon & Spa shooting via FOX6Now.com.