One Year Without India: A Mother’s Story of Loss, Silence, and Hope
“There’s an ache in my heart no amount of time could undo, as I’ve had to learn to let go of the pieces of myself that I lost when I lost you. So much of who I was was because of you, and now I must navigate that loss too.”
~ Liz Newman
One year ago today, my world shattered when my beloved daughter, India Summer Deibler-Love died by suicide—a tragic culmination of the unspoken pain she carried from childhood abuse. She was 31 years old, a devoted wife, and a loving mother to three young children. Her death left a void that can never be filled, but her story doesn’t have to end here.
India was an incredible force of kindness and compassion. She had the most infectious laugh—a sound that could fill an entire room with joy. She poured so much of her nurturing love into her three beautiful children, and no one fought harder for the people she cared about. But beneath her radiant smile, India carried a burden she couldn’t share: the weight of horrific abuse she endured as a child. Abuse that, for so many years, she kept secret.
When survivors of abuse stay silent, it’s not because they’re not brave, or that they don’t want to heal. It’s because they’ve been conditioned to believe their pain isn’t valid or that their worth has been diminished. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Yet far too many survivors, like my daughter, carry this unjust shame. They feel isolated, unheard, and powerless.
India’s silence wasn’t her fault. It was a reflection of a society that too often stigmatizes the voices of abuse survivors. This silence is the real tragedy, and it’s one we need to confront. Because when victims feel safe enough to share their stories, something transformative happens: the secret loses its power, and the survivor begins to heal.
India wasn’t able to share her story, but I can. And I will. Through my words, I want to shine a light on the struggles that so many survivors face in silence. If sharing her story can help just one person feel seen, heard, and supported, then I know I’m honoring her in the best way possible.
India’s light burned brightly in this world, and though it was extinguished far too soon, her story can guide others out of the darkness. By speaking her truth—even after she’s gone—I hope to spark courage in others who are carrying similar burdens. Together, we can ensure that her legacy becomes a beacon of hope for those who feel unseen.
If you’d like to learn more about the work we’re doing at the India Love Sunflower Foundation and how to support us, visit our home page. And while there, please make sure to sign up for our email list to be notified of news, events, and updates to India’s story.