Many are still searching for answers and understanding after the shocking and sudden death of Star Valley resident Cassie Clinger. Tens of thousands of dollars have been raised for Cassie’s three young children. Words of condolence, comfort and remembrance have been shared on social media. Many have worn purple in honor of Cassie and others affected by domestic violence.

Cassie was a light, hope and inspiration to many as she openly shared her struggles with depression, self harm and even attempted suicide. “I share my story to bring awareness,” Cassie shared with SVI Media for a story published just this past September promoting her annual Suicide Awareness Walk to the Intermittent Spring.. “It’s okay to talk about it. People are not alone in feeling those feelings. Being open makes a huge difference.”

In an earlier story published in February of 2024, Cassie shared with SVI Media how she hoped to help even just one person. “I hope I can just reach one person, that is my goal,” She said. “I just want to help one person know they are not alone and that they can be okay.”

Along with the suicide walk, Clinger created the Facebook group “We Are Not Alone” where she actively opened up about her own experiences and emotions and also shared words of hope and encouragement for others. In fact, at 5:54 a.m. on January 21, just hours before her life was taken, Cassie shared a post that included encouraging words about rerouting, trusting the process and to keep moving in the year 2026.

A few hours later, shortly after 8:00 a.m. on the Idaho side of Freedom, a 911 call was placed by Cassie’s husband, Christopher Moon, stating that had shot his wife and indicated he had a gun and was going to take his own life, according to the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Department. Multiple police agencies immediately responded to the scene on Jacknife Road. After police made brief contact with Moon over the phone, he was observed using the gun to shoot himself. “Deputies approached the vehicles, finding both Christopher and Cassandra deceased from apparent gunshot wounds,” reported the sheriff’s department. Christopher texted his mother-in-law, Cynthia, a few minutes before taking his life, saying that “Satan, got ahold of me. I’m so sorry, I love her so much.” He also asked Cynthia to take care of the kids, saying “Just tell them that we love them and take care of our kids. We know they’re in good hands with you and jared, you’re amazing.”

Cassie had separated from Christopher and was working towards divorce, having previously left him due to domestic violence. None of Casssandra’s three young children were with her when she was murdered, and they were not injured in the incident.

As news of the shooting began to spread, friends immediately jumped into action to do what little they could to help. A GoFundMe –In Memory of Cassie Clinger– was created to raise money for funeral expenses and to go towards Cassie’s kids. “Cassie was a devoted mother whose love for her children knew no bounds. This fundraiser has been created to help support them during this devastating time and to honor Cassie’s life,” says the GoFundMe. “Funds raised will go toward funeral and memorial expenses for Cassie, immediate and ongoing support for Cassie’s kids, including basic needs, stability, and care, (as well as) any additional unforeseen expenses as the family navigates this profound loss.” As of 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 27, the GoFundMe had raised over $52,000. A public Facebook auction was also created to raise funds, titled “Caring for Cassie.” The auction includes donations from residents and businesses that are bid on by group members, with proceeds also benefiting Cassie’s family. Bidding will close at 6:00 p.m. on February 1.

“Cassie was a girl who lived life to the fullest, to its extremes,” Jared Clinger, Cassie’s father, told East Idaho News. “She loved people, she loved her kids, and she loved spending time with her sisters. She worked at the clinic in Alpine, and she just loved helping people.

“She and I were best friends. I try to be with all of my girls. She moved in with us a couple of months ago as she was going through a troubling divorce, and I was there to help her, and she was there to help me,” Jared continued. “Cassie was in a good spot in her life, and she’s been happy. She was just applying to start college again, and she was in a good place. I’m happy to see her go when she was in such a good place, mentally and spiritually.”

Of course, Cassie’s family are not the only ones impacted by the shooting. Christopher also left behind additional children and family. “Our hearts go out to his family as well. It’s a loss for everybody,” Jared says. “There’s no hard feelings of animosity towards anybody. We just need to take a bad situation and make the most of it, and take care of these kids.”

Even in her passing, Cassie’s words still ring as a beacon of hope and guidance for those struggling. In the story written by Julie Dockstader Heaps in February 2024, Cassie continues to help one person. “It’s not a bad thing to struggle, and you’re not the only one who struggles. That’s the biggest thing that makes a difference is to just talk about it. The more you talk about it, the less uncomfortable it’s going to be.”