There are routines that become so ordinary no one imagines the day they will disappear. For Karen Figgs, one of those was a phone call around 3:30 p.m., when her daughter would pick up her granddaughter, Ka’mora Figgs, from daycare.
Karen told Tampa Bay 28 that even after the 3-year-old’s death, she still found herself expecting that call or anticipating Ka’mora being home when she returned from work. “She is our angel,” the grieving grandmother told the outlet.
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Those who knew Ka’mora have made it clear that her short life was filled with personality. Her family said that she loved singing and dancing, Ms. Rachel, Minnie Mouse, and the color yellow. Karen described her granddaughter as a smart little girl with a larger-than-life personality.
Ka’mora’s mother, Tyrah Figgs, told FOX 13 that her daughter could hold full conversations at only 3 years old and remembered her as “smart, funny, and beautiful.” Ka’mora also spent Tuesdays at the beach or the pool with her aunt, Kyrah Figgs, who recalled the toddler’s love of snacks and chocolate.
Sadly, on April 25, 2026, that little girl was transported to a Brandon-area hospital with what the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office described as several inflicted injuries. Ka’mora died that day. According to HCSO, investigators later determined that her injuries occurred while she was in the care of 29-year-old Grace Wingate. The Medical Examiner subsequently ruled Ka’mora’s death a homicide.
Ka’mora Was Left With Someone Her Family Trusted
Wingate was not a stranger to Ka’mora or her family. Relatives told Tampa Bay 28 that Wingate had been dating Tyrah for approximately a year. On April 25, Tyrah reportedly left her daughter in Wingate’s care while she attended an appointment. Karen told the outlet that Wingate had never previously shown signs of being abusive or mean around the family, making the allegations surrounding Ka’mora’s death especially difficult for them to comprehend.
Prosecutors allege Ka’mora was beaten to death while alone with Wingate inside Wingate’s apartment on Quails Nest Drive in Brandon. Court TV reported that records detailing exactly what investigators believe happened inside the apartment have been redacted and are not publicly available.
Authorities have also withheld the exact nature of Ka’mora’s injuries. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has publicly described them only as several inflicted wounds. However, Karen told Tampa Bay 28 that the family was informed Ka’mora suffered blunt-force trauma and internal bleeding. FOX 13 separately reported that investigators have not released the child’s exact injuries, meaning those more specific medical details come from Ka’mora’s family and have not been independently disclosed by law enforcement.
Grace Wingate Arrested Nearly Three Months Later
Further, Ka’mora’s death did not immediately result in an arrest. The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said detectives began investigating on April 25 and eventually obtained a warrant for Wingate on July 16, nearly three months later. She was arrested on charges of murder in the first degree while engaged in aggravated child abuse, aggravated child abuse, and child neglect with great bodily harm.
Court TV added that a Hillsborough County grand jury indicted Wingate on the charges. During a virtual court appearance on July 20, Judge J. Logan Murphy said he could not consider the issue of bond because the judge overseeing Wingate’s indictment had already ordered that she be held without bond. Wingate is scheduled to return to court for arraignment on July 27.
Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez said that the case involved a child who died while with someone who was supposed to be caring for her. Ka’mora’s family is also demanding accountability. Karen explained that, for her, justice would mean the death penalty. Her statement reflects the family’s wishes, although the available reporting has not established that prosecutors have formally announced an intent to seek capital punishment.
A Family Remembers Ka’mora
The criminal case may eventually provide answers about what happened inside Wingate’s apartment, but Ka’mora’s family is already living with an absence that no verdict can undo. Tyrah told FOX 13 that she felt “lost and confused” after her daughter’s death and wanted answers and justice. When asked to describe Ka’mora, she called her “perfect.”
The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office continues to identify the case as an active investigation. Anyone with information concerning Ka’mora Figgs’ death may contact HCSO at (813) 247-8200. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through Crime Stoppers at (800) 873-8477.
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Please share Ka’mora Figgs’ story as her loved ones continue seeking justice and answers for a little girl whose life ended at only 3 years old. She is our sister, and her life matters.
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