Sara Gilson, a 43-year-old hairstylist and TikTok creator from Owasso, Oklahoma, was shot and killed by her estranged husband, Jeremiah Shawn Duffey, who then took his own life, police say, days after she posted a TikTok video making allegations against him.
An Owasso mother has died in an apparent murder-suicide, days after she posted a TikTok video making allegations about her estranged husband. Sara Gilson, 43, and Jeremiah Shawn Duffey, 48, were found dead of apparent gunshot wounds on Wednesday, July 23, according to the Owasso Police Department. Investigators say Duffey shot and killed Gilson before turning the gun on himself. Police were called to the home at around 11.15pm after one of Gilson’s children dialled 911 following the shooting.
What police say happened
Owasso police have confirmed that both Gilson and Duffey were found dead on July 23 following the 911 call. Investigators say Duffey shot Gilson before dying by suicide, with both deaths described as apparent gunshot wounds. Police have said there is no ongoing threat to the public, with investigators believing the incident was isolated to those involved.
Investigators say Duffey had violated an active emergency protective order at the time of the shooting, which required him to stay away from Gilson and their home. The order had been extended until 24 August 2026, meaning it remained legally in force when the shooting occurred.
Protective orders and prior allegations
Court records show Gilson appeared in court about a month before the shooting to explain why she wanted to continue the emergency protective order against Duffey. When the order was first filed, Duffey had been instructed to stay 100 yards away from Gilson and to leave the couple’s home. Case information relating to the filings is available at oscn.net.
On the same day Gilson sought her protective order, the mother of a 15-year-old girl filed a separate protective order alleging that Duffey, who worked as a youth basketball coach, had been seen kissing and fondling the teenager while alone with her. The filing states that another coach walked in during the alleged incident, and that the teenager later told her mother Duffey had sent her inappropriate messages, invited her to his hotel room during a trip, and given her money “to keep her quiet.” A report was made to Owasso police in connection with these allegations.
Gilson’s own filing echoed these allegations and added that Duffey had threatened suicide, “went on the run,” and had access to a firearm. Court records also note that Gilson had previously sought two separate protective orders against Duffey in 2021, both of which were dismissed after she did not appear in court.
Her TikTok post and support for her children
Shortly before the shootings, Gilson posted a TikTok video using a popular documentary-style format. In on-screen text, she wrote: “Preparing for when Netflix drops a documentary about my soon to be ex husband who I just found out is a pedophile.” The video, posted on 11 July, had amassed more than five million views by the time of her death.
Gilson worked as a hairstylist in the Owasso area and had built a following on TikTok by sharing lifestyle, fashion and jewellery content prior to her death.
Community response
A fundraiser has been launched at gofund.me to support Gilson’s two children following her death, and a community vigil has been organised in her memory.
This story involves domestic violence and allegations of child sexual abuse. If you or someone you know is affected by domestic abuse, the National Domestic Abuse Helpline (0808 2000 247) offers free, confidential support 24 hours a day.
