Before her death, Garcia documented parts of her journey on social media. Speaking to Richmond television station WWBT before Garcia's death, her mother Patricia Garcia described how quickly the illness overwhelmed her daughter. After Garcia's death, the family’s focus shifted from medical evacuation to bringing her body back to the United States and covering outstanding medical expenses. “It is with a heavy heart that we share our beloved daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, niece, friend Ayla, has passed. For Garcia's family, however, the focus remains on honoring the life of a woman they say dedicated herself to serving others.