A Michigan high school bowling coach fatally shot a 17-year-old girl in her home after sending her inappropriate messages, the victim’s father revealed in a social media post. The shocking June 14 murder-suicide has left the small community of Bedford Township, about an hour south of Detroit, in mourning and searching for answers.
Authorities say Ryne Leist, 33, a volunteer coach for Bedford High School’s bowling team, shot and killed Gwendolyn Smith—one of his players—before turning the gun on himself. The teen’s stepfather returned home around 6 p.m. to find her mortally wounded and Leist dead, the New York Post reported.
As online discussions about the tragedy unfolded, allegations surfaced about Leist’s past behavior. When one community member urged caution against speculation, Gwendolyn’s father, Levi Smith, responded bluntly. “I’ve seen enough of the emails he sent my daughter before he killed her to know it’s not speculation,” he wrote in a local Facebook group.
“He deserves to rot in a special hell.” Gwendolyn, described as a kind, talented, and extraordinary young woman, had graduated just two weeks before her death. Meanwhile, former acquaintances of Leist painted a disturbing picture of the coach. Monica McKenzie, who knew him years ago, recalled him as a “loner” who “somehow slipped through the cracks”, WTOL reported.
Kara Thornton, now living in Hawaii, said she met Leist when she was 15 and he was 20. “He got my name tattooed on his arm. We never dated, I never wanted to,” Thornton claimed. “He would try sleeping with me and my friends, he’d meet us at parks and then drive us to the middle of nowhere, giving us alcohol… he was always so gross, always trying to date underage girls.”
She added that Leist had later posed as a photographer to solicit nude photos from women. “It’s hard looking back and realizing how f—d it all was,” she said. Authorities have not confirmed whether Leist forced his way into the home or was let inside. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office stated that Gwendolyn did not view their relationship as romantic.
Leist, who worked at a local bowling alley, had recently resigned from his coaching position. The medical examiner ruled Gwendolyn’s death a homicide and Leist’s a suicide. Levi Smith could not be reached for further comment. The case has raised questions about the oversight of volunteer coaches and how warning signs may have been missed. The community continues to grieve the loss of a bright young life cut short by violence. Shultz started a GoFundMe account for the Smith family. It’s raised nearly $21,000 thus far.