What began as a missing person search in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma turned into a heartbreaking scene that has shocked the community and left a family devastated.
Police were called to a home after relatives, who hadn’t seen or heard from 20-year-old Alyssa Shippy in months, requested a welfare check. When officers entered the house, they found something far worse than they expected.
Inside the home, 58-year-old Rodney Shippy was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. His 10-year-old son, Logan, and the family dog were also found dead nearby. But the most disturbing discovery came later during a deeper search of the house — the body of a woman believed to be Alyssa was found as well.
According to police, conditions inside the house were disturbing. The home was filled with trash and filth, with signs of extreme neglect. Relatives had already been worried after seeing video footage earlier this year showing the home in disrepair. There was reportedly no running water, and the environment was described by family members as “not suitable for a child.”
Patti Williams, a relative of the family, confirmed to local station KJRH that the woman found was Alyssa, although police are still waiting on official confirmation from the medical examiner. Patti described the heartbreaking loss of Alyssa and Logan with deep affection, calling Logan “so smart” and “eager to learn,” and referring to Alyssa as a “bright light in this world.”
The home also carried a painful history. Three years earlier, Lisa Shippy, the children’s mother and Rodney’s wife, tragically took her own life in the same house. That loss, compounded with what’s now being considered a murder-suicide, paints a picture of a family suffering through deep trauma.
Police officially released a statement the evening of the discovery: “Our hearts go out to the family, friends, and neighbors affected by this incident. Anytime a life is lost in our community, especially a child, it is a tragedy.”
The statement also outlined the sequence of events. “This afternoon, shortly after 4 PM, officers served a search warrant related to a missing person investigation involving 20-year-old Alyssa Shippy. Her disappearance was recently reported to our department by out-of-state relatives. Upon entering the residence, officers discovered an adult male with apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds, as well as a juvenile male, and a dog, all dead. Due to the condition of the home, investigators have since located an additional body believed to be an adult female.”
A later update identified the deceased man as Rodney Shippy and confirmed the juvenile was his son. “We will not be releasing his name,” the department added.
The community is now rallying in support. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to help cover funeral costs for the children. So far, it has raised $2,300 of a $4,000 goal.
As the investigation continues, one thing is painfully clear — this tragedy has left a permanent scar on a family already marked by previous loss. And for those who knew Alyssa and Logan, they will be remembered not just for how their lives ended, but for the light and potential they carried with them.