Exclusive photos: ST. LOUIS – The death of a Missouri woman who told police her firefighter fiance shot herself in the head in 2020 is considered “suspicious” and remains under active investigation, St. Louis says. Regional Police Announcement – St. Louis Regional Police announced this amid renewed attention following the death of his second girlfriend. He returned home earlier this month.
On July 22, 2020, Creve Coeur police found Grace Holland, 35, dead from a single gunshot wound to the head at the home of firefighter Robert Daus.
Creve Coeur investigators deemed the fatal shooting a self-inflicted wound, and the county medical examiner ruled Holland’s death a suicide. St. Louis County police were asked to re-examine the case after local investigators declared it closed, despite what the family believed was evidence of foul play.
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Robert Daus speaks by phone in front of his home in Westwood, Missouri, on Monday, January 29, 2024. Mr Daus’ girlfriend, 39-year-old Dr Sarah Sweeney, was found dead in her home on January 13th. A captain with the local fire department, he also lost his fiancée, Grace Holland, to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at another home three years ago. (DWS for Fox News Digital)
In 2022, Creve Coeur Police Chief Jeff Hartman asked the county to conduct a new investigation.
“This case was ruled a suicide by the Medical Examiner’s Office long before we became involved,” said Sgt. Tracy Panas, the department’s public information officer, told Fox News Digital. “As with any death investigation, as a result of our investigation, we never determined the manner of death. This determination rests solely with the medical examiner.”
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At this time, the case is still classified as a suspicious death and is ongoing. It will be up to the prosecutor’s office to decide whether further action is necessary or whether criminal charges will be brought.
Dr. Sarah Sweeney (left) and Grace Holland (right). The two women were found dead in Robert Dowse’s home. (The Sweeney Family, Grace Holland/Facebook)
County investigators sent their findings to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office in early December.
“At this time, this case is still classified as a suspicious death and is ongoing,” Panus said. “It is up to the prosecutor’s office to decide whether further action is necessary or whether criminal charges should be filed.”
A spokesperson for the prosecutor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Robert Daus speaks by phone in front of his home in Westwood, Missouri, on Monday, January 29, 2024. Mr Daus’ girlfriend, 39-year-old Dr Sarah Sweeney, was found dead in her home on January 13th. A captain with the local fire department, he also lost his fiancée, Grace Holland, to a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head at another home three years ago. (DWS for Fox News Digital)
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Holland was the mother of four children. Her death was once again in the public eye last week after a second woman, her ex-girlfriend’s fiancé, died at her home. The police update marks the first time Daus has been seen since the death of Dr. Sarah Sweeney, a 39-year-old podiatrist who was found dead around 6:40 a.m. on January 13. It was announced in response.
Police said there were no obvious signs of trauma to her body.
Grace Holland’s 2020 shooting death has been ruled a suicide, but her family disputes that finding. They are currently suing her ex-fiancé, Robert Daus, in a wrongful death lawsuit after his new girlfriend, Dr. Sarah Sweeney, was found dead in her home earlier this month. As a result, the case has been put on hold again. (Grace Holland/Facebook)
Her “sudden death” is being investigated by Frontenac Police Corporal. Tim Duda told Fox News Digital. County police were not involved in the investigation as of Tuesday.
Her autopsy and toxicology results are expected within the next two to four weeks.
The two women were romantically involved with Dauss, a captain with the Maryland Heights Fire District who made the 911 calls reporting both deaths.
Mr. Daus has not been named a suspect or charged with any crime in either of the deaths.
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Exterior of Robert Dowse’s home in Westwood, Missouri, on Wednesday, January 24, 2024. Two of Daus’ girlfriends, Dr. Sarah Sweeney and Grace Holland, were found dead in Daus’ home within the past three years. . (DWS for Fox News Digital)
Holland’s family named her in a wrongful death lawsuit, rejecting the coroner’s ruling that her death was a suicide.
She is right-handed, and the gunshot wound to her left temple also seemed suspicious, as did the alleged missing $20,000 engagement ring, according to the complaint.
Anyone with information about Holland’s death can contact St. Louis county police Call 314-615-5400. The investigation into Sweeney’s death is being handled by the Frontenac Police Department (314-373-6509).
Hear Missouri’s 911 call mourning the death of Grace Holland
Last week, Hartman urged against speculation about both cases, as the autopsy results of Sweeney’s death were not yet available.
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“As a result of the investigation, she [died] “As a result of murder, her death should be fully investigated as such, and I pray that those responsible will be held accountable,” he told FOX News Digital. “As a result, Creve Coeur There will also be increased monitoring of the case.” However, we have not yet received a verdict on the cause of Sarah’s death. ”
