Molly Ann Abbott Case left Redmond last year, taking her infectious smile and gregarious personality to Provo, Utah, where her future beamed with optimism and hope.

In March, the fun-loving 19-year-old married Rich Case, 24. Then in July, the young couple bought a beautiful new home in Provo. Molly and her parents, longtime Redmond residents, planned family ski trips to the Wasatch mountain range, which served as a scenic backdrop to the newlywed’s new home. Rich recently bought Molly a pet dog, Doogie, — an early 20th birthday present.

Molly grew up in Redmond and attended Redmond High School, where she was well-liked and respected by her teachers, coaches and peers. Her popularity continued to grow far beyond Redmond when she moved to Provo last March.

Whether it was at work at a Provo bakery, or at social, family gatherings, Molly’s positive attitude rubbed off on everyone around her, said Molly’s father, Greg Abbott, a longtime Eastside realtor.

“She brought us — and everyone around her — so much joy and sunshine,” Greg said in a phone interview from Utah. “Now it’s a black hole.”

Molly’s life was cut short much too soon when she was killed in what police are calling an “accidental” shooting on the afternoon of Sunday, Sept. 27 outside a 7-11 convenience store in Springville, Utah. Family and friends from two different communities are mourning the sudden death of Molly, who was going to turn 20 on Sunday. Funeral services will be held in Provo today, Greg said, adding that a memorial service is being planned for the Redmond/Bellevue area, probably next week. Molly’s Facebook page is filled with adoring comments and remembrances, proving her popularity and inspiration to others.

“It is shocking and tragic,” said Redmond High tennis coach Marceil Whitney, who coached Molly for three years. “Her smile was contagious and you just wanted to be part of her world. There will be emptiness in my heart to know that she was taken too soon from us.”

‘There are no words for this’

Molly, Rich and Richard’s 17-year-old cousin stopped at the 7-11 in Springville after a weekend of camping and target shooting. Rich’s cousin got in the back seat as they were preparing to leave after picking up some snacks at the store.

When Molly opened the passenger door, “a .22-caliber, six-shot revolver fell from the pouch on the door, struck the ground and discharged,” according to Lt. David Caron of the Springville Police Department. “The bullet struck Molly in the torso and pierced a part of the aorta.”

Molly was pronounced dead within a half hour of arriving at a nearby hospital.

“(The bullet) hit her in the worst spot,” said Greg, who could not hold back his emotions as he re-told the tragic story. “It could have hit her anywhere and she would have lived. There are no words for this.”

The gun was an older model and did not have a safety feature — a tiny bar that lifts up to cover the firing pin — that most modern guns have, according to Caron.

“At this time, there are no charges pending,” Caron said. “The death has been determined to be accidental.”

Greg said Molly began the hobby of target shooting just a few weeks ago as a way to spend more time with Rich, who loved to target shoot.

“She really enjoyed (target shooting),” Greg said. “She loved to try new things. I don’t fault her and I don’t fault (Rich). They were responsible gun owners. I always told her, ‘guns are fun, but you have to respect them in order to be safe.'”

‘Her spirit will live on’

Molly moved to Provo the second semester of senior year last March. She wanted to graduate with a lifelong friend, who had recently moved to Provo, according to Greg. Molly graduated from Timpview High School last May before briefly attending Utah Valley University.

She later met Rich and they married each other in Las Vegas March 16, 2009. Molly joked about celebrating her six-month anniversary and talked about her home improvement plans on her Facebook page.

Molly was always active and “had the ability to make everyone around her happy with her infectious smile and laughter,” Greg said. Molly began skiing at the early age of 3 and at the age of 7, she began racing, competing six years for the Stevens Pass Alpine Club. She grew up playing tennis, soccer and basketball. She competed at the varsity level in high school tennis for three seasons.

In the classroom at Redmond High, she was a leader and motivated people with her can-do, always-upbeat attitude, according to Kate Atvars, Advanced Algebra teacher at Redmond High.

“I remember Molly as being a hard worker, conscientious, detail-oriented and always fun to be around,” Atvars said. “She was a leader in her group work and would help others who were struggling with the math concepts. … She was the type of student who I knew would make a name for herself in whatever path she chose. I know that her spirit will live on in my classroom.”

Molly is survived by her husband, Rich; her parents Greg and Marsha Abbott of Redmond; her older sister Lonnie Abbott of Redmond; her grandparents Tom and Joanne Flynn of Bellevue; her grandmother Ann Abbott of Kirkland; her uncle Tom and aunt Lori Flynn of Maple Valley, along with many other loving relatives.

For the Utah news story, click here.