Authorities announce $20,000 reward for information in UAB student's murder

BIRMINGHAM (AP) — Police announced a $20,000 reward Monday for information in the killing of a University of Alabama at Birmingham student who was shot to death as she talked on her cell phone while parked at an elementary school near campus.

Investigators have been baffled as they try to solve the slaying of Kayla Fanaei, 20.

"It's worse than a nightmare," said her mother, Robin Fanaei. "It was such a privilege to have her as a daughter. We miss her terribly."

Fanaei, who was majoring in psychology, was found dead about 1 a.m. on Oct. 8 in the driver's seat of her car, which was parked outside Glen Iris Elementary School near the UAB campus.

Authorities have said Fanaei apparently had pulled in the school to finish a cell phone call with a friend in Auburn when she was shot to death.

Robin Fanaei described being stunned by the murder of her daughter.

"I really don't know what I feel. I know what Kayla would want me to do, and that is pray for the person," she said.

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