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Father and daughter left their Mississippi house on February 28, 2026, to satisfy somebody they contacted by way of Fb Market, however the journey turned lethal after they had been each shot and killed.
The our bodies of the daddy and daughter had been found inside their work van off a rural highway in Sardis, a city round 50 miles south of Memphis, Tennessee, after the police responded to what initially appeared as a single-vehicle crash.
In line with their household, Victor Gonzalez, 42, and his daughter Serenity Gonzalez, 19, had been about to buy a gaming console on the day they had been killed. The police stated the tracks left by their car recommend that the 2 tried to flee earlier than the tragedy happened.
Jessie Waterman, 15, the son of Victor and the brother of Serenity, spoke to a number of media shops and stated he didn’t know precisely whom his father and sister had been assembly concerning the Play Station 5 they had been planning to buy. Talking to WREG, Jessie stated he believes his father and sister fell victims of a setup.
In an interview with Memphis-based ABC affiliate WATN, Jessie defined that “one thing should’ve occurred with the transaction,” suggesting it could have been “a rip-off.” Relating to the situation the place his family members had been found, he stated he believes “they had been attempting to flee primarily based on the tracks on the highway and the mud on the facet of the van.”
In line with investigators, the killings happened both Saturday, February 28, 2026, or Sunday, March 1, 2026.
Residents of the place the place the taking pictures occurred clarify that River Highway, the place the father-daughter car was positioned, is way from busy and would solely be used if folks already understand it exists.
“It’s received homes up that finish and homes up the opposite finish, however only a few in between,” neighbor Connie Donahou stated. “It’s not an actual busy highway, however should you reside round right here, about this highway. You just about should reside round right here to learn about this highway.”
Victor labored as an electrician and his daughter labored alongside him. In line with Jessie, they had been each hardworking and primarily took jobs within the Memphis space.
Their tragic deaths left their household marvel why somebody would wish to damage them.
“If I used to be to ask a query it will be, why? All of this, it doesn’t make any sense [sic],” Jessie stated, based on WREG Information.
“All people is in shock and disbelief. However we’re additionally grieving on the identical time as a result of all of it occurred all the sudden [sic],” he added.
Panola County Sheriff Shane Phelps confirmed he spoke to the victims’ household however refused to offer any particulars about what may very well be probably occurring earlier than the taking pictures happened. He added that they’re actively engaged on the case.
Up to now, little data has been revealed about who the doable suspect may very well be, and no motive has been recognized.
For now, all that may be completed is wait and hope that somebody comes ahead with data that can make clear how a easy on-line buy can change into a lethal crime.
The tragedy in Mississippi is probably not an remoted incident. Lots of of miles away, one other investigation is going down which might level to a disturbing sample linked to meetups organized by way of on-line marketplaces.
On Sunday night time, in any other case quiet residential avenue in Colombia, Missouri, became a criminal offense scene after a taking pictures incident that left a person in essential situation. The investigation revealed similarities to different violent encounters related to on-line market transactions.
Police had been referred to as to the 1400 block of Ridgemont Court docket shortly after 8 p.m. on January 18, 2026, after stories of gunshots within the space. Upon arriving on the scene, they discovered a 42-year-old man with gunshots wounds. He was transported to the hospital the place he later died.
The person was later recognized as Michael Ryan Burke, a Columbia resident and Marine Corps veteran.
A few days following the tragic taking pictures, the police arrested 4 suspects, two males, a lady, and a juvenile. The grownup suspects had been recognized as 18-year-old Alexis Baumann of Hallsville, 18-year-old Kobe Aust of Columbia, and 18-year-old Joseph Crane of Columbia. Police say that each Baumann and Aust had been arrested on suspicion of second-degree homicide, first-degree theft, and first-degree housebreaking. Crane is being charged with the identical crimes in addition to further prices of armed legal motion and the illegal use of weapons. The juvenile has been arrested on related prices.
In line with Folks, the taking pictures was linked to a deliberate Fb Market deal involving a cellphone.
Authorities revealed that Michael was arranging to promote his iPhone 15 Professional for $585 on Fb Market. After he shared his house deal with with the potential purchaser, he obtained a textual content message round 8 p.m. saying, “I’m right here.”
Not lengthy after, the police answered a name about taking pictures and located Michael injured inside his house. Regardless of his accidents, he was nonetheless in a position to name for assist. Throughout his remaining moments, he despatched a textual content message to his mom and sister, telling them goodbye.
“He texted them saying that, ‘hey, I’m dying and I like you,’” stated Jerry Reifeiss, who knew Michael for greater than 20 years. “That was simply Ryan. He all the time put folks in entrance of him and needed to ensure folks knew how he felt.”
Within the days earlier than Michael’s loss of life, the suspects tried two different iPhone robberies involving Fb Market.
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Bored Daddy
Love and Peace
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