Two weeks after publicly accusing her estranged husband of pedophilia on TikTok, Sara Gilson was fatally shot by him in what police describe as a murder-suicide. The 43-year-old social media influencer was found dead alongside her husband, Jeremiah Duffey, also known as Shawn Duffey, on July 23 in a home in Collinsville, Oklahoma, according to the Owasso Police Department.
Protective Order Filed After Molestation Accusation
On June 9, a girl and her parent reported to police that Duffey, who coached the girl's traveling basketball team, had inappropriately touched her during an event at an elementary school. Another coach witnessed the incident and immediately intervened and informed the girl's parent. Police stated that similar conduct by Duffey toward this juvenile player had allegedly occurred over an extended period across multiple states and jurisdictions.
Because Duffey was a member of the Osage tribe and the incident happened on tribal land, police submitted the case for a charge of lewd molestation of a minor to the U.S. authorities. The next day, June 10, officers contacted Gilson and advised her to seek an emergency protective order. She did so, and the order was granted, requiring Duffey to stay 100 yards away from Gilson and her home at all times, according to Tulsa County court records.
Pedophilia Accusations on TikTok
On July 11, Gilson posted a video on TikTok, where she had more than 30,000 followers, accusing Duffey of pedophilia. “Preparing for when Netflix drops a documentary about my soon to be ex husband who I just found out is a pedophile,” she wrote in the caption. Duffey had fled and had not been seen by police since the initial report.
The Fatal Shooting
On July 23 at 11:16 p.m., officers responded to a domestic violence incident at a residence in Collinsville after a 911 call where dispatchers heard a woman screaming followed by what sounded like a gunshot. Dispatchers attempted to call back but received no answer. Moments later, a boy called 911 from a neighbor's home and said his stepfather had shot his mother. When officers arrived, they found Gilson and Duffey dead from apparent gunshot wounds to the head. Police are still investigating but stated the deaths appear to be a murder-suicide.
Aftermath and Tributes
Gilson's son was taken into protective custody and later released to a parent who was not involved in the incident. Gilson leaves behind the son and a daughter. An online fundraiser set up for the children paid tribute to her: “Sara was an incredible mom. Her children were the center of her world, and everything she did was for them. She loved them fiercely, worked hard to provide for them, and dreamed of giving them the best life possible.”
