Diane Byrne is gone, leaving a legacy filled with hope

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — She was the glue that held the Bakersfield 3 mothers together and now she’s gone.

To her oldest daughter, Diane Byrne was more than that.

She was her hero.

“The song, “You Are My Sunshine”, I sang to her every night because that’s what she always sang to me,” said Byrne’s oldest daughter, Alexia Chiaromonte.

A Bakersfield native, Diane Byrne passed away April 23, after a battle with ovarian cancer. She died after her husband left for work with her daughter by her side. She was 68 years of age.

“He kissed her goodbye at 6:30, and I woke up a little after 7:30 then went over to you know, kiss her good morning and make sure she was okay,” said Chiaromonte.

Friends and family called her Di. She leaves behind six children, five grandkids, and one great grandchild. Byrne’s daughter said her mother’s greatest accomplishment was helping the families of victims find hope.

“I know that probably would be the most important legacy is the Bakersfield 3 and the secret witness program.”

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Byrne’s son, James Kulstad, was murdered April 8, 2018.

She died without ever knowing who killed her son.

“That’s probably one of the things that is most devastating for me, is that we don’t have closure on that part of it,” said Chiaromonte. “We’re still searching for answers and justice for my brother.”

You can donate and continue the legacy Di Byrne leaves behind to find justice for victims’ families.

Click here to make a donation in Di’s honor.

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