Katen Atwell Elizabethtown, KY — The Elizabethtown community is grieving the tragic loss of Katen Elizabeth Atwell, a beloved 15-year-old whose life was cut short in a devastating incident on January 11, 2026. Katen’s passing has left family, friends, classmates, and neighbors in profound sorrow as they remember her vibrant spirit and the joy she brought to those around her.
Katen was born on July 9, 2010 in Bardstown, Kentucky, to her loving parents Cory Scott and Felicia Carney Atwell. A student in Hardin County, she was known for her bright smile, her love for family, and her generous heart. A member of the Antioch Christian Church in Willisburg, Katen valued her faith and the time she spent with those she cherished.
Tragically, Katen’s life ended following a shooting outside a Lowe’s parking lot in Elizabethtown. According to authorities, the fatal shooting occurred during an early-morning meeting with another teen and a 21-year-old man whom both teens had met through social media. Emergency responders arrived on scene after reports of gunfire and found Katen unresponsive; she was later pronounced dead at Baptist Health Hardin.
Katen’s family described her as a cherished daughter, sister, and friend — someone who loved “country stuff, big trucks, her nieces and nephews, and her family with her whole heart.” Her younger life, though tragically brief, was filled with laughter, curiosity, and the warmth she shared so freely with others.
She is survived by her parents, Cory and Felicia Atwell; her siblings, Austin Elliott, Marlie Atwell, and Leslie Elliott; her maternal grandparents, Patricia Dick and David Leslie Carney; and her paternal grandmother, Elizabeth O’Rear. Katen was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather, Ivan “Toby” Atwell, and her paternal step-grandfather, Donald O’Rear.
Family, friends, and the broader community have expressed shock and heartbreak at the loss of a young life taken far too soon. Tributes reflect on Katen’s bright personality, her kindness, and the lasting joy she brought to everyone who knew her.
Funeral services were held at 12 Noon on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at Carey & Son Funeral Home in Elizabethtown, with visitation earlier in the day. Following the service, Katen was laid to rest with the love of her family and community surrounding her.
Katen Elizabeth Atwell will be remembered for her bright spirit, her love for family, and the joyful presence she shared with others. Though her life was brief, the impact she had on those around her will be treasured and remembered for years to come.
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