COLLINSVILLE (OWASSO POLICE): THE HEARTBREAKING TIMELINE THAT LED TO THE TRAGIC JULY 23RD INCIDENT
COLLINSVILLE — We held off on sharing this one until investigators released more information because we wanted to make sure we had the facts before reporting on such a horrifying case that sadly involves minor children.
According to information released by the Owasso Police Department, dispatchers received a 911 call on July 23rd at approximately 11:16 p.m. regarding a domestic violence incident in Collinsville. While dispatchers were on the phone with the caller, they reportedly could hear a woman screaming in the background, followed by the horrifying sound of what appeared to be a gunshot. Officers were then immediately dispatched to a home on North 130th East Ave.
And while officers were on their way to the home, dispatch reportedly received a second 911 call. According to investigators, it came from a minor child who had run to a neighbor's house for help. Police say the child told dispatchers that his stepfather had just shot his mother. That second call gave officers an even clearer picture of the terrifying situation they were about to walk into.
When officers arrived at the home, they found two people who had died from apparent gunshot wounds to the head. After investigating the scene, authorities determined the incident was a murder-suicide. As for the child, police say he was taken into protective custody at the scene before later being released to his other parent. Investigators identified the two people who were found deceased as Jeremiah Shawn Duffey and Sara Jane Duffey.
Now, this is where the story takes another turn, so stick with us.
Prior to this tragic incident, investigators had already been looking into another case involving Jeremiah Duffey. According to the Owasso Police Department, that investigation began on June 9th after a minor female and one of her parents reported an alleged s*x crime to authorities.
Investigators say the suspect was, you guessed it, 48-year-old Jeremiah Duffey. According to police, he was accused of inappropriately touching the minor during a travel basketball team event being held inside the gymnasium of an elementary school, where he was one of the travel team's coaches.
Now, to be clear, investigators have stated that the travel team was not affliated in any way with Owasso Public Schools and school was not in session at the time of the incident.
And according to investigators, another coach witnessed what allegedly happened as well and didn't waste any time. That kind of action matters, y'all. When adults step in and speak up, children are better protected. Major credit to that coach, we tip our hats off to you.
Police then said that the other coach immediately contacted the girl's parents, who came to the school, picked up their daughter, and then went straight to the Owasso Police Department to report what had happened. When police arrived at the gym to investigate, Duffey was already gone.
As the investigation continued, officers then contacted Duffey's wife, Sara Jane Duffey, to inform her of the allegations. According to police, they also provided her with information on how to obtain a protective order against Jeremiah.
Now, Sara Jane Duffey, also known as Sara Gilson, is a name that many people on TikTok are familiar with. She was reportedly a TikTok creator and influencer with a following of more than 80,000 people.
And on July 11th, a little over a month after police informed her of the allegations against her husband, she uploaded a TikTok video that quickly spread across the platform. As of now, the video has been viewed more than 22 million times.
The caption on her video read: "Preparing for when Netflix drops a documentary about my soon-to-be ex-husband who I just found out is a pedophile."
At the time this video was posted, we don't think anyone could have imagined the horrific events that would unfold on July 23rd. What began with shocking allegations would tragically end in a murder-suicide.
A child has lost his mother because of the selfish actions of one man. That's our opinion, and we make no apologies for standing by it.
Not only that, but another child was allegedly the victim of inappropriate s*xual contact. And while we're on this topic, we want to point out that it takes an incredible amount of courage for a child to come forward and tell someone they were hurt. She told her parent what had happened, and her parent immediately took her to the police. We hope she knows she did the right thing by speaking up, and that none of this is her fault. What happened to her should have never happened, and we hope she knows there are people who believe her, support her, and are rooting for her healing.
At the end of it all, no matter how you look at it, the ones left to pick up the pieces are the innocent victims. Multiple children's lives were forever changed that day. Our hearts are with them both, and we're praying that one day the pain they are feeling is replaced with peace, healing, and the joy that they deserve.
This investigation remains ongoing, and as always, we'll continue to keep y'all updated as more information is confirmed and released by investigators.
Source: Owasso Police Department
