“It was like a thunderbolt striking me,” she said who a friend who read her statement for her. “In an instant, I felt dizzy and fell to the ground.”

After immigrating to the United States and raising Jiang as a single mother, her life revolved around him. Her son had moved her to Connecticut, where the two spent their time attending weekly church services and gardening.

Now, Liu said, she is afraid nearly every waking moment. She is depressed, paranoid and cannot sleep.

“Murderer Qinxuan Pan is responsible for all of the damage I suffer,” she said. “I was dreaming that Kevin would have a few beautiful children after he got married.” But instead, “I am left alone by myself. In this world, I will never see Kevin smile again.”

One family friend who also spoke described Liu as a humble woman who only wished for the simple pleasures of watching her child graduate, marry and have grandchildren she could help raise.

He, too, spoke of his friend’s caring character.

“His heart was so pure and he dedicated his life to protecting the environment. But all of that was shattered,” he said.

A professor from Yale and instructors from other schools Jiang attended also made statements and read messages from other teachers who taught Jiang over the years.

They all said he excelled in academics and described him as an extraordinary and enthusiastic student with a “megawatt smile.”

A National Guard captain who served with him described him as strong, smart and well-trained, but said “More than that, he was a good man.” He said Jiang’s expertise in environmental science would have continued to save lives and protect members of the military.

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