A Georgia mother is desperately trying to bring her daughter home after she was killed in a ‘freak’ ziplining accident during a Caribbean birthday trip with friends. 

Tamirah Dix, 40, of Atlanta, allegedly struck her head during a ziplining excursion in Puerto Rico on Saturday and died later that night after experiencing seizures, according to 11 Alive News.

Her family, who described themselves as ‘heartbroken and confused,’ are now grappling with the unexpected and costly process of returning her body to her hometown of Marietta. 

‘I never thought I’d be burying my child,’ Tamirah’s mother, Vanessa Dix, told the outlet. 

Loved ones of the avid traveler launched a GoFundMe page to cover the cost of transporting Tamirah back to the US, where they hope to hold a funeral and better understand what happened in her final hours.

‘This loss has been devastating, and we are now faced with the challenge of bringing her home and arranging a proper farewell,’ the fundraiser read.

‘The costs of transportation to the state and funeral services are more than we can manage alone, so we are humbly asking for help from our community,’ it added.

As of Friday morning, more than $18,370 has been raised toward the $20,000 goal, and the family is hoping to have her returned by the weekend so they can begin arranging services. 

Georgia mother Vanessa Dix (left) is trying to bring her daughter (right) home after she was killed in a ‘freak’ ziplining accident in Puerto Rico

Tamirah Dix (pictured), 40, allegedly struck her head during a ziplining excursion and died later that night after experiencing seizures

Vanessa (pictured) told 11 Alive News through tears: ‘I never thought I’d be burying my child’

Even though Puerto Rican authorities have reportedly completed their investigation and are awaiting autopsy results, questions surrounding Tamirah’s sudden death continue to intensify. 

‘It doesn’t sit right with y’all, it doesn’t sit right with me,’ Shadi Dix, Tamirah’s younger brother, told WSB-TV 2 News.

‘I don’t know how it went down or went up – was it a branch, was it a leaf? Was she on the zipline or was it after the zipline?’ he added. ‘There are just so many questions and there’s not any answers.’

Tamirah was visiting Orocovis, a mountainous town about an hour outside San Juan, with her fiancé for a friend’s birthday celebration – an area known for its hiking, swimming, camping, and zipline adventures. 

But late Saturday night, Vanessa received the devastating call that her 40-year-old daughter had died.

‘They say she got hit in the face – I don’t know – and from then on they went to get something to eat,’ her mother told the outlet.

‘She felt nauseated so she threw up and I understand it went down from there,’ she added.

Later that night, after going to sleep, family members said Tamirah began having seizures and died while being rushed to the hospital. 

Shadi Dix, Tamirah’s younger brother (both pictured), expressed frustration over the lack of information regarding her death, including a timeline of the injury

Authorities told Tamirah’s family that preliminary information points to an ‘accidental hit to her head’ during the excursion 

Shadi said it was no surprise that Tamirah went ziplining, as they both shared a love for adventure (both pictured)

Brittani Hebron, Tamirah’s best friend, who met her on the dance team before graduating from Marietta High School in 2004, also recalled receiving the same call that loved ones struggled to process. 

‘I was just crushed. I had to pull over,’ Hebron told 11 Alive. ‘I was on the way to do some hair, and on the highway, I had to pull over when I got the news.’

‘I’m really crushed because that’s my everyday person. I’m on the phone with her at work, I’m on the phone with her after work,’ she added, describing Tamirah as the ‘life of the party.’

The pair considered themselves sisters, dubbed themselves the ‘Golden Girls,’ and have remained inseparable since their freshman year of high school. 

‘She’ll lift me up, pick me up. She likes to elevate people,’ Hebron said. 

‘We were old ladies. We didn’t like to go out,’ she laughed. ‘Even though she was the life of the party when she was there, but most of the time we enjoyed being home. You know, chit-chatting, talking crap.’

Tamirah was known for being adventurous, fearless and caring, with a profound love for her family – especially her nieces and nephews. 

Her niece Ryleigh told Fox: ‘She was the best auntie I could ever have. I never dreamed of having an auntie that can give me everything.’

Family members said that Tamirah began having seizures and died while being rushed to the hospital

Brittani Hebron, Tamirah’s best friend, said she was ‘crushed’ upon hearing the news and had to pull over

Tamirah was known for being adventurous, fearless and caring

Tamirah’s brother Shadi explained that his sister was ‘so healthy’ and ‘traveled lots,’ adding that her journey to the Caribbean ‘wasn’t a factor in the tragic accident.’ 

He also said it was no surprise that she went ziplining, noting that they both shared a love for adventure and that he ‘probably would have gone with her.’ 

‘To know her is to love her,’ Shadi told Fox 5 Atlanta News through tears, adding that he now feels lost without her and wishes for just one more adventure with his older sister.

‘She made sure I was up in the morning, made sure I got off the bus, made sure I ate. She was a good big sister,’ he added. ‘She’s very special, very special and loved.’

Shadi has taken the lead in pushing for answers, as he and his family remain unable to understand how their loved one died from an activity so common on vacations.

According to the GoFundMe page, authorities told the family that while the investigation is ongoing, preliminary information points to an ‘accidental hit to her head.’ 

Yet Shadi shared the ongoing frustration they feel over the lack of specific information, including a detailed timeline of the injury. 

‘We were probably planning on going skydiving one day, so this is the least of our extreme activities,’ he told the outlet. ‘I don’t have any answers yet.’ 

Less than a year before her death, Tamirah earned a degree in Health Information Management Technology

Shadi has taken the lead in pushing for answers, as he remains unable to understand how his sister died from a common vacation activity

Friends and family will gather for a vigil honoring Tamirah on Saturday

Tamirah was studying at Clayton State University and expected to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Applied Science in May 2029, according to her LinkedIn. 

Less than a year before her death, she earned a degree in Health Information Management Technology from Georgia Piedmont Technical College. 

In a heartbreaking tribute, the school said: ‘She inspired those around her through her growth, determination and willingness to lead, making a meaningful and lasting impact on our college community.’

Friends and family will gather for a vigil on Saturday, April 4, from 5pm to 8pm at 545 Washington Avenue in Marietta.