MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A heartbreaking story out of Memphis has left a Mid-South family reeling with grief, anger, and unanswered questions. 20-year-old Ikeyana Rivers was senselessly gunned down while driving along I-240 late on the night of June 28, and in a chilling twist, her family has revealed that her bank account was targeted and emptied in the hours following her tragic death.
Ikeyana, described by her loved ones as vibrant, kind-hearted, and full of promise, was shot around 11:30 p.m. near the Highway 385 exit while behind the wheel. The details of the shooting remain under investigation, and as of now, police have not announced any suspects or arrests.
But as her mother, Ayeisha Rivers, struggles to come to terms with the devastating loss of her daughter, she now faces another cruel blow—someone accessed Ikeyana’s bank account within hours of her death and began withdrawing money.
“They released her phone. When I cut it on, I’m seeing notifications of her bank,” Ayeisha told FOX13 in a recent interview. “Not even 10 hours after she was gone. Transactions.”
The withdrawals started small, with just $15 missing, but they continued systematically over the next two weeks. By the time Ayeisha discovered the activity—nearly three weeks later, when she finally received access to her daughter’s phone—the account had been drained of nearly $500, until it held just a single cent.
“I didn’t even know it was happening,” she said. “Whoever did this… That’s a low-down, cold-hearted person. It’s not right.”
Now, Ayeisha is working closely with Wells Fargo Bank and local law enforcement to trace the fraudulent activity and hopefully identify who took advantage of her daughter’s death in such a vile and calculated way.
The fact that someone exploited Ikeyana’s death for financial gain has added a new layer of trauma to a grieving mother’s already unimaginable pain. Ayeisha has expressed both frustration and disbelief that someone could act with such callousness during a time of mourning.
“Losing a child is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone,” she said. “But then to learn someone was out there stealing from her, when she should’ve been laid to rest in peace — it just breaks me all over again.”
Ongoing Investigation
Memphis Police have confirmed they are still actively investigating the shooting, but no arrests have been made and no persons of interest have been named publicly. The department did not offer additional details when contacted by FOX13 but stated that the case remains open.
Meanwhile, community members and loved ones are mourning Ikeyana, remembering her not for the violence that claimed her life, but for the warmth, energy, and joy she brought to everyone around her. A small memorial has formed near the scene of the shooting, and a candlelight vigil is being planned in her honor.
“This was somebody’s daughter, somebody’s whole world,” said one family friend. “And she deserves justice — for what happened to her that night, and for what happened after.”
Ayeisha Rivers is now fighting on two fronts: seeking answers and justice for the daughter she lost too soon, and pushing for accountability for the person or people who robbed her child’s bank account in death.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact the Memphis Police Department or submit a tip anonymously through CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
As this investigation unfolds, the Rivers family is calling on the public to not only help bring Ikeyana’s killer to justice but also to remain vigilant and supportive in the face of such heartbreaking exploitation.
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