A tragic murder-suicide claimed the lives of a family of four in Daphne, Alabama. Authorities are investigating the deaths of two children, their mother, and father. Read more about this heartbreaking case.
A peaceful neighborhood in Daphne, Alabama, was shaken to its core on August 14, 2025, when authorities discovered a family of four dead in their home, victims of a heartbreaking murder-suicide.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call for a welfare check at a home on Sable Court in Daphne in the early hours of the morning. The request came from a concerned relative who did not live with the family. Upon arriving at the residence, deputies were forced to break into the home, where they tragically found four individuals with fatal gunshot wounds.
The Victims: A Mother, Father, and Two Children
The deceased were identified as 44-year-old Kenneth O’Neil Smith Jr., his wife, 41-year-old Larrica Gaines Smith, and their two children, 15-year-old Khristian Smith and 11-year-old Kinsley Smith. A handgun believed to have been used in the killings was recovered at the scene. Sheriff Anthony Lowery confirmed that the case was a murder-suicide, calling it “as tragic as it comes.”
“We do believe this is going to be a multiple murder and suicide scene,” Sheriff Lowery stated. “It’s as tragic as it comes.”
Neighbors and Friends in Shock
The news of the Smith family’s deaths sent shockwaves through the Daphne community. Many residents were left in disbelief, struggling to comprehend the horrific tragedy.
Shannon Brannon, a neighbor, described the Smith family as “just the nicest, sweetest family.” She shared that their children had often babysat her daughter and that the family had celebrated their wedding anniversary just two weeks before the tragedy.
Another neighbor expressed deep sadness, remarking, “You’d just kind of imagine it would be a certain type of family that would happen to, and you’d never think something like that would happen to them.”
Larrica’s friend, LaChandra Jackson, took to Facebook to mourn her best friend, writing in part, “My friend!!!! My BEST friend through high school and a friend until now. God please help me understand this!”
Remembering Larrica: A Kind and Gentle Soul
Those who knew Larrica remembered her as a kind, quiet woman. Sue Lyon, owner of EXIT Realty Lyon, where Larrica briefly worked, described her as “the kind of person that you just thought, ‘Man, she’s gonna work so great in real estate.’”
“She was so sweet, she was very quiet,” Lyon said, expressing her disbelief at the news. “I couldn’t believe something like this could happen.”
School Community Grieves
Both children, Khristian and Kinsley, were enrolled in local schools — Khristian at Daphne High School and Kinsley at Daphne East Elementary. In response to the tragedy, school counselors and crisis response teams were made available to students. School officials sent messages to parents and guardians, informing them of the heartbreaking news and offering support.
Investigating a Heart-Wrenching Case
Sheriff Lowery acknowledged the difficulty of the investigation, noting that, “One of the hardest things about this investigation is that we will never get all the answers because there are no suspects to interview.” Authorities have continued their work to understand the details of the tragedy, while also providing support to the grieving community.
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office extended condolences and offered chaplain services for those affected by the tragedy. They reiterated their commitment to thoroughly investigating the case.
A Community Rallies in Support
As Daphne mourns the loss of the Smith family, the community has come together to offer support to those affected. Neighbors, friends, and officials are working to process the grief and loss while seeking clarity in this devastating case.
