26.07.2026 13:25
US social media influencer Sara Gilson and her estranged husband Shawn Duffey were found dead in their home with gunshot wounds to the head. Police are evaluating the incident as a murder-suicide. It was reported that Gilson had accused her husband of pedophilia on TikTok about two weeks ago, and Duffey was under investigation for alleged sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl.
Social media influencer Sara Gilson, living in the US state of Oklahoma, and her estranged husband Shawn Duffey were found dead from gunshot wounds at their home. Police stated that initial findings suggest the incident was a murder-suicide.
SHE HAD ACCUSED HIM OF PEDOPHILIA ON TIKTOK
43-year-old Sara Gilson, about two weeks before the incident, accused her estranged husband Shawn Duffey of pedophilia in a video posted on her TikTok account. "I'm preparing as if a Netflix documentary about my ex-husband is about to be released. I just learned he's a pedophile," Gilson said, adding in her post, "I wish I were joking."
A SCREAM WAS HEARD FOLLOWED BY A GUNSHOT
According to information provided by authorities, the first call to 911 Emergency Call Center on the night of July 23 reported a woman screaming on the phone, followed by a gunshot. Shortly after, Gilson's minor son who lived at home called the police a second time from a neighbor's house, stating that his stepfather had shot his mother.
Teams arriving at the scene found Sara Gilson and 48-year-old Shawn Duffey dead from gunshot wounds to the head.
THERE WAS A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST HIM
According to court records, Gilson had obtained an emergency protection order against her husband in June. The court ruled that Duffey must not approach his wife within 100 meters and ordered him to be removed from the home. Police stated they had not received any reports of this order being violated prior to the incident.
ALLEGATION OF SEXUAL ABUSE OF A 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL
It was reported that on the same day, a separate protection order was issued against Shawn Duffey regarding allegations of sexual abuse of a 15-year-old girl on the basketball team he coached.
According to court documents, Duffey allegedly sent inappropriate messages to the minor girl, kissed her, touched her inappropriately, and invited her to his hotel room during a tournament, offering money in exchange for her silence. It was reported that the incident was noticed by another coach and reported to the girl's guardian.
Authorities stated that the incident is also being investigated by federal authorities under the U.S. Federal Major Crimes Act, and the investigation is ongoing.