Payam Javan: An Oklahoma TikTok influencer, Sara Gilson, and her estranged husband, Jeremiah “Shawn” Duffey, were found dead in an apparent murder-suicide inside their home in Owasso, Oklahoma. Police believe Duffey shot Gilson before turning the gun on himself, following a series of domestic and legal disputes between the couple.
On the night of July 23, emergency dispatchers received a 911 call during which they heard a woman screaming followed by gunfire. Shortly thereafter, a juvenile called from a neighbor’s residence, reporting that his stepfather had shot his mother. Upon arriving at the scene within minutes, officers discovered the bodies of Gilson, 43, and Duffey, 48, both deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The child was placed in protective custody before being released to an uninvolved parent.
Prior to the shooting, Duffey, who worked as a youth basketball coach, was the subject of a child sexual abuse investigation. The investigation began in early June after reports emerged that he had inappropriately touched a female player during an event at a local elementary school. Because Duffey was a member of the Osage Nation and the alleged incident occurred in Indian Country, the Owasso Police Department referred the case to federal prosecutors under the Federal Major Crimes Act.
In response to the allegations, Gilson secured an emergency protective order against Duffey on June 10, which was later extended through late August. Gilson, a professional hairstylist with a significant following on TikTok, used her platform to share her experiences and grief during the separation. In a video posted shortly before her death, she alluded to the situation and the trauma she and her children were facing.
Following the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign was established to support Gilson’s two children, who are described by community members as the center of her life. The local community has expressed deep grief over the loss of Gilson, who was known as a dedicated mother. Authorities continue to process the case as a domestic murder-suicide while federal and local investigations into the prior allegations remain concluded.
