Suicidal mom, 37, took her daughter to Chuck E Cheese to celebrate her 4th birthday then shot the child and herself dead in SUV
A mother and her young daughter who were reported missing last week were found shot to death inside their SUV in St. Louis County in an apparent murder-suicide, after relatives say the woman took the child to Chuck E Cheese for an early birthday celebration.
Police in Bridgeton, Missouri, said Kanisha 'Kani' Richardson, 37, and three-year-old Ava Richardson were found on Saturday near an apartment complex in the 1200 block of Nottingham Lane inside their 2014 GMC Terrain. Ava would have turned four on Monday.
Officers found a gun inside the vehicle, but no suicide note.
Kanisha 'Kani' Richardson, 37, was found dead from an apparent suicide alongside her daughter, Ava (pictured together), who police say was shot to death before her fourth birthday.
The mother and daughter were reported missing by a relative last Wednesday — two days after they were last seen near their home in the 11300 block of Hi Tower Drive in Bridgeton, reported St Louis Post-Dispatch.
During the search for Richardson and Ava, authorities had said the woman had made some suicidal statements and was possibly armed with a gun.
'Everything points to the murder-suicide,' Bridgeton police Major Mark Mossotti. said.
Family member Niki Harris wrote on Facebook that Ava was supposed to celebrate her birthday at Walt Disney World in Florida on Monday.
The mother and daughter were reported missing by a relative last Wednesday — two days after they were last seen near their home in Bridgeton, Missouri
A relative wrote on Facebook that Ava was supposed to celebrate her birthday at Walt Disney World in Florida. Instead, Richardson took her to a Chuck E Cheese
Police said Richardson had made suicidal statements before taking off with Ava
Instead, loved ones dressed in pink - Ava's favorite color - gathered outside the Chuck E Cheese where the girl was taken by her mother and released pink balloons in her honor.
Meanwhile, a woman who identified herself as Richardson's wife has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help her lay the mom and daughter to rest.
'My babies are no longer here to laugh with,argue with, make new memories, or grow,' wrote Alea Turner in the description. 'I won’t hear “mommy ima be a lady like you” or “I’m getting big like my sis sis”. I won’t hear Kani obsess about IHOP coffee or laughing at all her new style stunts.
'I’m breaking down. No ones prepared for one burial let alone two. Nobody should ever have to bury a child.'