by Tammy Horvath

A single knock on the door changed everything.

On August 2, 2017, Tammy Horvath learned that her son had been murdered. In the days and months that followed, grief consumed her. Getting out of bed felt impossible. The future felt meaningless.

Then something unexpected happened.

A quiet voice urged her to forgive the man who took her son’s life.

How do you forgive someone who shattered your world?

In Gone in an Instant, Tammy shares the raw and honest story of losing her only child and wrestling with a calling that felt both impossible and deeply spiritual. Through heartbreak, anger, and confusion, she begins a journey toward freedom—discovering that forgiveness is not about excusing evil, but about releasing the chains that bind the wounded.

This deeply personal Christian memoir speaks to anyone:

• Struggling with grief
• Wrestling with unforgiveness
• Questioning faith after tragedy
• Searching for hope after loss

Tammy’s story is not about having all the answers.
It’s about discovering that healing is still possible—even after the unimaginable.

“Gone in an Instant: Losing My Son, Loving His Killer is a memoir of faith. Choices that teenager Luke made were not the best and led to his murder. Yet, Tammy reacted with love for her son’s killer. I lost two boys and was angry for many years at God for the horrors my sons at four and five years old endured. I know my boys are in heaven and I wait for the day when I can see them again. I need to practice more of what Tammy has done as she has motivated me to try meditation with God. Thank you … five golden stars.”

Mary L. Schmidt aka S. Jackson, author, When Angels Fly and Her Heart

“Tammy’s story is one of heartbreak, forgiveness, and hope from the moment she first heard of the tragic murder of her son. Gone in an Instant is about a mother’s love and more importantly her faith in the Lord that gives her the strength and courage to carry on. I personally witnessed her incredible love, mercy, and grace. The source for these attributes comes from her Heavenly Father. The truth that permeates Tammy’s book and life is that with God in your life, you can face anything life throws at you. A must read.”

Ray Streets, Pastor of The Journey Church, Johnstown, PA

“Tammy has faced every mother’s worst nightmare with the loss of her only son to a violent act. In Gone in an Instant, she bravely shares her story and you will benefit by reading it.”

Candi Johnson, Community Outreach at The Journey Church 

“Gone in an Instant is a book any mother can connect with. The author’s kind heart is apparent. It was so very touching. We’ve all been prodigals in our own way, yet God forgives us. Tammy is an example of showing God’s grace in one of the hardest situations imaginable.”

Janet W. Ferguson

Award-winning inspirational author

2020 FHL Readers’ Choice Award Winner

Christy Award Finalist

2017 Grace Award Winner

Selah Award Finalist

Ian Award Finalist

Media Mentions About Gone in an Instant

When Angels Fly guest on the blog April 2, 2022

Please welcome Tammy Horvath to my blog. Good morning, Tammy. Shall we sit down with our morning brew and chat?

1. Please introduce yourself to those reading this blog post.

Hi, I’m Tammy Horvath. In 2017 my son was murdered and in the days and months that followed, I had to face the horror of losing my son and forgiving his killer. So I’ve written a memoir. Gone in an Instant is that story and I believe it will give hope to anyone who needs to forgive that person in their life who’s impossible to forgive…

Food for Your Soul blog post-April 15, 2022

I had three reactions to this book–two positive and one disturbing.

First, I found the book quite interesting. That’s saying a lot, as few books hold my interest. But Tammy’s story hooked me in more than most novels. The book is definitely a page-turner…

Testimony at The Journey Church—Have you lost a child to heaven? April 23, 2022

Have you lost a child to heaven? I have. Here’s my story. (Video recording.)

The Tribune-Democrat Newspaper May 6, 2022

In the Spotlight | ‘I know God was in control’ Sidman woman writes book about forgiving her son’s killer/herself… Article by Kelly Urban.

Yahoo Sports article May 7, 2022

May 7—SIDMAN, Pa. — On Aug. 2, 2017, Tammy Horvath received the news no parent wants to hear.

Her 19-year-old son, Luke Yuzwa, was shot and killed in the middle of Steel Street in Johnstown’s Old Conemaugh Borough neighborhood…

Nelson E. Brown’s interview for Mother’s Day on The Beauty In Us Radio on Awesome God Radio on May 10, 2022

Please join me for another edition of The Beauty In Us Radio on Awesome God Radio on Tuesday May 10, 2022 from 6-7pm as we sit down and speak with Ms. Lizbeth Meredith and my mom, Ms. Lisa L. Brown, about moms…

New Castle News article May 12, 2022

Tammy Horvath holds the book she wrote forgiving the man who murdered her son. She talks about how her faith has allowed her to forgive the man that shot and killed her son. Listen to this article powered by Trinity Audio.

Bluefield Daily Telegraph article May 17, 2022

“Gone in an Instant: Losing My Son, Loving His Killer” not only chronicles the agonizing events of Horvath’s son’s death but also follows her journey to faith, forgiveness, love, and renewed hope…

Lori Keesey interview on her blog on June 1, 2022

Forgiving Her Son’s Killer…And Herself | For Tammy Horvath, forgiving her son’s killer was easier than forgiving herself. Tammy tells her story in a recently released memoir, Gone In An Instant: Losing My Son, Loving His Killer, a number-one bestseller in Amazon’s death, grief, and spirituality category. The book took years to write…

Mark Schultz interview on his blog July 31–August 8, 2022

Debut author, Tammy Horvath introduces us to “Gone in an Instant”: How Do You Forgive the One Person in Your Life Impossible to Forgive? On August 2, 2017, a knock on Tammy Horvath’s front door shattered her world. “Your son has been murdered,” a police officer said in a quiet voice. As she struggled through the horror of the following months, another Voice spoke. “Forgiveness is a choice and you must forgive him, Tammy.” But How?…

When Angels Fly guest on the blog on September 16, 2022

Excerpt for Gone in an Instant:

After several more negotiations, the Assistant District Attorney contacted me in early December 2018. They wanted to know if I’d agree to a plea deal of thirty to sixty years. In my opinion, anything less than life without parole was unfair, but I also knew it wasn’t really up to me since the DA’s office, not me, would make the final decision. Asking for my input was simply a courtesy to the victim’s family…

Bridge to Life Church guest speaker on October 23, 2022

Video testimony by Tammy Horvath—Guest Speaker at Bridge to Life Church—Do you always have unshakable faith like Job?

Tweetables interview on March 15, 2023

This month’s author interview is with Indie writer Tammy Horvath who has experienced something no parent should have to endure, but part of her healing process was writing a memoir called ‘Gone in an Instant: Losing my son. Loving his killer.’ The title of her book tells you what happened but first, let’s meet Tammy:
‘I love to read and help people in need. I’m married to the other half of my brain—Mike…

Testimony at The Journey Church—Do you listen to God? on May 6, 2023

Video of Testimony at The Journey Church titled: “Do You Listen to God?”

Somerset Daily American Newspaper article about mass shootings and gun control on January 20, 2024

Some have different narrative on ending mass shootings by La Toya Bicko.
The last year closed with more national mass shootings, reawakening the narrative of what to do to prevent such incidents.

Many advocate for stronger gun laws, but some people in Bedford, Cambria, and Somerset counties say the focus should be on mental illness. People go crazy, then kill, they say…

Interview with Mitos Suson on August 13, 2024

This week’s featured guest needs no introduction, the gifted Tammy Horvath. Tammy wrote the ‘Journey Through Life” series of inspirational books. Thematically her series is filled with love, forgiveness, healing and travel. She writes with raw emotions, and refreshing candor. I feel like she’s confiding her wisdom in me as a friend. Most of all, she declares her faith, loyalty and belief in the Christian values…

Accidental Hope podcast on August 4, 2025

On this episode, Tammy Horvath is a Christian author and speaker, happily married, and the mother of her only child, Luke Yuzwa, who is now in heaven. We discussed how powerful forgiveness is, not just obedience to the Lord, but the peace it brings. She writes memoirs, bringing you on her “Journeys Through Life” series on Amazon/Audible. This is a podcast episode.

Guest on Eva Bielby’s blog on December 21, 2025

Today, we are thrilled to welcome our guest author, Tammy Horvath, who is sharing a chapter of her first memoir, “Gone in an Instant”.

Chapter 1

Gone!

Every morning when I rise from my bed, I notice all the places Luke is missing from. He’s not hanging out in my spotless living room, making the cat jump for the toy just out of reach, making me laugh. He’s not in his messy bedroom where his deodorant, razor, and cigarettes lie right where he left them.

He is gone.

On August 2, 2017—the day I’ll never forget—a murderer’s bullet ended my nineteen-year-old son’s life. Why did God allow this to happen?…