17CF043839AD – State of Florida vs Lee Rodarte Jr

Savannah Gold’s Brother Chris Gold

March 4, 2021

Re: State v. Lee Rodarte Jr.

S.A. Case No.: 17CF04389AD

Dear Honorable Branham:

Savannah was a hard working person who would do anything for anyone.
She was a perfectionist who strived to only do something if she knew she could give
it her all. She was passionate about everything from sewing to lacrosse. She was so
passionate about lacrosse that she would be upset if she played bad, even if she won.
After lacrosse games, she would have blisters on her toes from driving so hard into
the ground. That passion was infectious, people always tried to do better when
around her. I always stepped up my game when she was around, but it never
matched her intensity. For example, when we worked together, she was employee of
the month twice and I was never even nominated. That’s not the only time she
outshined me. She learned to ride a bike the same year I did and she is six years
younger than I am. Hell, she learned how to wakeboard before I did, which seemed
embarrassing but after looking back, it is quite impressive. I was always amazed
how she was able to be the best at anything she put her mind to.

Unfortunately, my memories of her accomplishments are all that I have left. I

remember waking up early with her on Christmas morning and walking out to the
living room to check out the gifts and stocking stuffers. One of my fondest memories
is on Christmas Eve when my sister learned that my parents had bought her a cherry
red Volkswagen Beetle and she cried when she found out they had been hiding it in
the backyard the entire time. She and I then went to an abandoned parking lot so I
could show her how to drive stick shift. Yet again, she picked it up quicker than I
did. She was doing doughnuts within twenty minutes that the church parking lot,
late on Christmas morning. That might sound extreme, but to us, it was the best way
to spend Christmas. When we were kids, she would sneak into my room on
Christmas morning and wake me up to look at our presents before our parents woke
up. Years later, I was showing her to have the most fun out of her Christmas gift.

But the holidays have not been the same, nor will they ever be. In fact, my
family and I tend to keep the holidays to a minimum since she died. The first couple

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 17CF043839AD – State of Florida vs Lee Rodarte Jr
Savannah Gold’s Brother Chris Gold

of holidays after the murder were the hardest, and we even avoided celebrating
multiple occasions. This past Christmas was especially tough. It always feels like
there is something missing, like a presence looms over any celebration. She was
always able to give the right gift, with a perfect mixture of heart and want. When
she couldn’t afford a gift, she would hand make it. My house has multiple paintings
from her that she gave to me on Christmas. But now, the awkward silences, which
Savannah was great at stopping, seem to loom for longer than they should. I know
that people are normally sluggish on holidays but now it feels like we all move in
slow motion, as if our energy was gone without her presence. Holidays will always
be tough for my family from now on.

How do I put in words what my sister meant to me? How do I explain how I
lost a part of me when she was killed? Not a day goes by without me thinking about
her. I have been living in an emotional pit since then, afraid to open up to anyone.
Even now, I struggle to put into word what she truly meant to me. She was the only
one to call me on my nonsense and I would do anything for her but now I sit alone,
staring blankly at a computer screen. She used to call me ‘Chrissy’ and now I won’t
let ANYONE call me that. I have talked to therapists, doctors, detectives, friends;
none of which have any clue what it is like to lose someone you have spent your
entire life with. Someone who impacted their life more than anyone else. I’m lost
without her, and I don’t think that I will ever find a way to fix that. I’ve tried
everything and anything hoping that it would fix my sadness; but nothing has come
close. Not a day goes by where I don’t cry. Hopefully, this sentencing will bring me
and my family happiness; even if it’s just a small amount of closure.

With kind regards,

Chris Gold

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