In the quiet town of Hilliard, Florida, a close-knit community has been left reeling from an unthinkable tragedy that unfolded on the evening of July 24, 2025. A devastating act of domestic violence claimed the lives of three beloved women—Marissa Leara Rowell, 32, her mother Sandra Gayle Fogarty, 71, and her sister Alisha Lael Fogarty, 33—in a murder-suicide perpetrated by Marissa’s estranged husband, Christopher Bobby Rowell, 34. The horror was witnessed by the couple’s 5-year-old daughter, whose bravery in escaping to seek help has become a beacon of resilience amid unimaginable loss.

The nightmare began around 8 p.m. at the family’s home on West 12th Avenue. According to Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper, the couple’s young daughter was in the back of the house when she heard the chilling sound of a gunshot. Drawn to the noise, she stepped into a scene of horror, witnessing her mother, Marissa, lying in a pool of blood between the living room and dining room. As the terrified child processed the sight, another woman—likely her aunt Alisha—grabbed her and rushed her to the bathroom for safety. But the sanctuary was short-lived. Christopher Rowell followed, shooting the woman shielding the child, leaving blood splattered on the young girl. He then moved to a nearby bedroom, where he fatally shot the third woman, believed to be Sandra, before returning to the living room and turning the gun on himself with an SKS-style 7.62-caliber rifle.

The 5-year-old, covered in blood and traumatized, fled the house and ran to a neighbor’s door, banging frantically and recounting the horror she had just witnessed. Her courage prompted an immediate 911 call, bringing deputies to the scene. Inside, they encountered a grim tableau: three women dead, and Christopher Rowell critically injured with a faint pulse. He was airlifted to UF Health Jacksonville, where he was declared clinically deceased and kept on life support for organ donation. By July 29, he had succumbed to his self-inflicted injuries.

The victims were cherished members of their family and community. Marissa Leara Rowell was a devoted mother, described as a “guiding light” for her daughter. She was in the midst of planning a new chapter, preparing to leave Christopher and relocate with her family to Blackshear, Georgia, where her mother, Sandra, had purchased a home to offer them a fresh start. A U-Haul sat packed outside their Hilliard residence, a poignant symbol of the escape they never got to make. Sandra Gayle Fogarty, a loving grandmother, had waited her entire life to embrace the joy of her granddaughter, showering her with warmth and affection. Alisha Lael Fogarty, Marissa’s sister, was a vibrant aunt who shared a sisterly bond with her niece, spending countless hours playing games and nurturing her spirit.

Sheriff Leeper, visibly shaken during a July 25 press conference, called the incident “sad, tragic, heartbreaking, and totally unnecessary.” He praised the surviving child as a “very strong, brave, beautiful girl” now safe with relatives but deeply traumatized by the violence she endured. “As a grandfather of two young children, my heart aches for this child,” Leeper said. “This kind of violence against family members, especially in the presence of a child, is beyond comprehension.”

The tragedy has uncovered chilling details about the lead-up to the event. Family member Steven Hallmark revealed that Marissa had faced ongoing threats from Christopher, including an incident where he drove recklessly with a beer in one hand and a gun in the other, threatening Marissa while their daughter sat in the backseat. Neighbors also reported unsettling behavior, claiming Christopher had pointed a gun at a neighborhood child on July 4, though the sheriff’s office found no evidence to substantiate the claim. Despite no prior domestic violence calls to the home or significant criminal history for Rowell—save for a 2015 ordinance violation and a 2013 cannabis charge resolved through pretrial intervention—these accounts suggest a pattern of escalating tension.

The community’s grief has galvanized support for the surviving child and the victims’ loved ones. A GoFundMe campaign, launched to cover cremation costs and provide for the 5-year-old’s future, has raised over $8,000 toward its $15,000 goal, with donations pouring in from near and far. “We lost a devoted mother, a loving first-time grandmother, and a devoted aunt who were cherished individuals who brought joy and love to everyone around them,” the family wrote on the fundraising page. “This child now faces a future without the warmth and loving support of her family, and we are committed to ensuring she receives the care and love she needs to heal from this traumatic incident.”

The loss of Marissa, Sandra, and Alisha has sparked urgent conversations about domestic violence, mental health, and gun access. Marissa’s determination to leave her abuser and protect her daughter underscores the perilous challenges victims face when trying to escape. “Domestic violence is real,” Hallmark urged. “Go get help, talk to someone before a tragedy like this happens.” The presence of multiple loaded weapons in the home, including fully loaded magazines, further amplifies concerns about the intersection of domestic abuse and firearms.

Hilliard, a small town in the Jacksonville metropolitan area, is unaccustomed to such violence, leaving neighbors shaken. “We moved out here to get away from that,” said Asia, a resident living nearby, who described the community as typically quiet. Another neighbor, Lorilyn Slaughter, expressed heartbreak for the young survivor: “That was way too much to be on a 5-year-old’s shoulders. All we can do is pray for her.”

As the investigation continues, authorities are still piecing together the motives behind this horrific act. Sheriff Leeper noted that while they have a theory, further details are pending to protect the child’s privacy and ensure a thorough inquiry. For now, the focus remains on honoring the lives of Marissa, Sandra, and Alisha—women whose love and light touched all who knew them.

Their memory endures through the community’s resolve to support the young girl left behind, to raise awareness about domestic violence, and to advocate for change. If you wish to contribute to the family’s healing, donations can be made via their GoFundMe page. For those experiencing domestic violence, help is available 24/7 through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or by texting “START” to 88788. For mental health or suicidal thoughts, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is accessible by calling or texting 988.

In the face of this shattering loss, Hilliard stands united, holding fast to hope, healing, and the enduring legacy of three remarkable women whose lives were taken too soon.