OWASSO, Okla. –
Family and friends are remembering Sara Duffey, who police say was shot and killed by her estranged husband in a murder-suicide Thursday night, as a devoted mother who lit up every room she entered.
You can help Sara’s family here.
How the shooting was discovered
Police say a neighbor called 911 after Duffey’s son came to her door asking for help. Investigators say Shawn Duffey shot Sara Duffey before shooting himself.
Sara Duffey had been granted a protective order against her husband last month. Police say he violated that order Thursday night. Court records show she had also filed a protective order against him in 2021.
“It was just gut-wrenching, earth-shattering. I just—I saw the Facebook post and just started bawling my eyes out,” said Colbi Manry, Sara’s niece.
Who Sara Duffey was
Duffey, who went by Sara Gilson, worked as a hairstylist and had built a following as a TikTok influencer, where she sold clothes and jewelry.
Her niece, Colbi Manry, said Sara was growing as an influencer, but her greatest role was being a mom.
“She would do absolutely anything for her kids,” Manry said. “I’ve seen so many people describe her as a fierce, loving mom.”
Manry said her aunt also made many special memories for her.
“As soon as you see her, you’re automatically smiling,” Manry said. “She’s making you laugh until you’re literally in pain in your stomach, or crying tears of laughter.”
A beloved hairstylist
Sara’s clients described her as more than someone who did their hair — many called her a genuine friend and a source of support.
“Going through and reading all of her clients posting on her wall, and seeing stories, just testaments of her passion for what she did — not just for the hair, but she also touched people,” Manry said.
“The life of the party”
Lyle Landers, the father of her two teenage children, said in a Facebook post that Duffey was “the life of the party” who loved her kids more than anything and would “fight to the death for them.”
Landers, who described Duffey as a mother, daughter and sister, said his children woke up Thursday without their mother. He said, “What happened to her last night was unfathomable to me,” and later said the family will get through it, and he’ll do his best to remind their kids who their mom is, was, and always will be.
Manry said she was devastated when she learned what happened.
“It was just gut-wrenching, earth-shattering,” she said. “I saw the Facebook post and just started bawling my eyes.”
Vigil planned
A vigil for Sara is scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m. at Morrow Elementary School in Collinsville.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available 24/7 at 1-800-799-7233.
