Tragic Incident in Hilliard
Authorities have reported a heartbreaking situation involving a father who killed his wife, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law. After committing these acts, he attempted to get help, though the details remain disturbing.
Deputies arrived at a residence in Hilliard where they found the bodies of three women and a male shooter, identified as 34-year-old Christopher Bobby Lowell, according to the Nassau County Sheriff’s Office.
The victims have been named as Marissa Liarra Lowell, age 32; her mother, 71-year-old Sandra Gail Fogarty; and 33-year-old aunt Alisha Lael Fogarty. A GoFundMe page has been set up to assist the grieving family.
Authorities learned about the horrific crime when Marissa’s five-year-old daughter ran to a neighbor’s house seeking help after witnessing the tragedy unfold. “The child mentioned hearing a gunshot and saw the aftermath,” said Nassau County Sheriff Bill Reaper during a press conference.
The little girl described how she saw a woman lying on the floor and was then taken to safety. Unfortunately, she witnessed some truly awful scenes. Reports indicated that when Christopher Lowell was found, he was still alive but had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was lying next to a rifle.
According to family, Marissa was considering leaving Christopher and taking her children with her. It’s really hard to imagine the fear she must have felt. “As soon as I heard the shooter’s name on the radio, my heart dropped,” said a cousin, Stephen Hallmark. He expressed his disbelief and grief as they spoke about an aunt who had just begun a new chapter in her life.
When the authorities arrived, one woman was found in a blood pool in the main living area; another was located in a bathroom with fatal head injuries, and a third was discovered shot in a bedroom. Miraculously, the young girl was unharmed.
Family members emphasized the deep loss they are feeling: “These were incredible individuals who brought joy into our lives. Marissa was the heart of our family, and her mother had looked forward to being a grandmother,” they stated in their fundraising message.
The situation is tragic, and now, the little girl will have to navigate life without the love and support of her family. The GoFundMe campaign has raised over $8,000 toward the $15,000 goal to assist with funeral expenses.
