Strongsville High School Football Player Ryan Kestranek, 19, Shot and Killed, Leaving Heartbroken Mother and Sisters Behind

A 19-year-old from Strongsville, Ohio, Ryan Kestranek, has died after being shot, leaving behind a heartbroken family and a community in mourning. Ryan, who graduated from Strongsville High School in 2025, where he played defensive end and guard on the varsity football team, was described by those who knew him as kind, gentle, and full of promise.

His sister Makayli Kestranek, who organized a GoFundMe fundraiser in his memory, painted a picture of a young man who had everything ahead of him.

“My brother, Ryan Kestranek, was the baby of our family and brought so much joy to everyone who knew him,” she wrote. “He was kind, gentle, incredibly smart, and had big dreams for his future. Ryan had a special way of making people feel heard, and his presence brought warmth and laughter wherever he went.”

Ryan shared an especially close bond with his mother, who called him “Sonny” throughout his life. He was also a loving younger brother to his two older sisters. His death at only 19 has left what his family describes as an unimaginable void.

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Community Rallies Around the Family in Their Time of Need

Friends and community members have been pouring out their grief on social media since news of his death broke. Stephanie Rawashdeh, a family friend who first met Ryan when he was just three years old, expressed her disbelief at the loss.

She noted that the family had endured tremendous hardship before, recalling that Ryan’s mother, Karyssa, nearly lost another child almost 16 years ago. Rawashdeh urged those who knew the family to contribute to the fundraiser, recognizing the financial weight that accompanies sudden, unexpected loss.

Another tribute came from a woman who identified herself as Ryan’s future sister-in-law, asking followers to pray for her fiancé and his family as they grieve.

The GoFundMe campaign, launched by Makayli, has a goal of $10,000 and has raised nearly $4,875 from 82 donors within hours of going live. The funds are intended to cover funeral and burial expenses as well as help Ryan’s mother manage everyday living costs during what will undoubtedly be one of the most difficult periods of her life.

Makayli explained that the goal is to give their mother the time and space to grieve without the added burden of financial stress.

Ryan was listed on the Strongsville varsity football roster as recently as September 2024, standing at 5 feet 11 inches and 220 pounds.

He was a physical presence on the field, but those who knew him remember far more than his athletic ability. They remember his warmth, his humor, and the genuine care he showed for people around him.

As the family prepares to say goodbye, they are asking for prayers, kind words, and any financial support the community can offer. Ryan Kestranek may have only lived 19 years, but by all accounts, he lived them with heart.