About Karli

Karli Short was a loving daughter, sister, and expectant mother, whose life was tragically cut short at the age of 26 in a shooting that also took the life of her unborn son.

Karli grew up in McKeesport, Pennsylvania, where she graduated in the McKeesport High School Class of 2014. She was an energetic child, becoming a cheerleader for the White Oak Falcons at the age of four and later playing basketball with the McKeesport YMCA and becoming a majorette for Golden Eagle in North Huntington.

She was motivated by helping people to feel and look their best. After studying cosmetology in high school, she later worked part-time as a hairstylist and makeup artist. But her true calling was serving as a caregiver, finding joy in helping those who needed it most. She fulfilled this life goal, working at Mt. Vernon of South Park and later Senior Care Plaza.

Karli was incredibly excited to become a first-time mother. Her son, who she planned to name Zachary, was due in February 2022.

Karli leaves behind her mother, Krista Pettis; her father, former Penn State and NFL linebacker Brandon Short and his wife Mahreen Short; her siblings Miriam and Noah Short; her grandmother, Ramona Wilkes; her grandfather, Zach Pettis; her uncle Jeff Blackwell; her aunt Roxanne Mask; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends too numerous to mention.