Influencers Sarah Gilson was allegedly killed by her estranged husband, Shawn Duffeyjust weeks after she allegedly accused him of being a pedophile.
Tulsa’s ABC affiliate reported On July 23, 2026, it was announced that Gilson and Duffey were found dead in their Oklahoma City home following a fatal shooting. A minor family member present at the scene allegedly told investigators that the estranged couple died by murder-suicide.
Two weeks earlier, Gilson stunned her 43,000 TikTok followers by accusing Duffey of pedophilia and insisting they would be divorced “soon.” (Duffey never publicly addressed the allegations before his death.)
At the time of publication, an investigation into the suspected murder-suicide is ongoing. Gilson leaves behind two children from a previous relationship.
Scroll below for more information about Gilson.
Sara Gilson was a fashion and lifestyle influencer
The alarming content about Duffey was unusual Gilson’s TikTok account. The hairdresser gained more than 40,000 followers for her comments on fashion trends and raising her two children.
In her TikTok bio, she emphasized to her followers that her fashion videos only featured “Amazon finds that I actually use.”
Sara Gilson publicly accused her husband Shawn Duffey of pedophilia before her death
On July 11, Gilson stunned her TikTok followers with a video about her “soon to be” ex-husband Duffey. The clip showed her taking a seat in front of a neutral background as if she were filming an interview for a documentary or reality show.
“Preparing for Netflix to release a documentary about my soon-to-be ex-husband, who I just found out is a pedophile,” she wrote about the clip.
She added: “I wish I had been joking.”
@mrsgilson I wish I was joking. #plottwist #netflix #Documentary
The video followed a popular viral trend, but its shocking content quickly went viral. At the time of publication, the clip has received more than 830,000 likes and generated more than 25,000 comments.
Duffey never responded to his estranged wife’s allegations before her death.
Sara Gilson filed for a restraining order against Shawn Duffey
The Oklahoman reported that Gilson filed for an emergency order of protection against Duffey in June 2026. As a result, Duffey was ordered to leave the family home and stay at least 100 yards away from Gilson until at least August 24.
According to the statement, Gilson filed a restraining order against Duffey back in 2021, but it was ultimately dismissed because she failed to attend a hearing.
Another woman filed a separate protective order against Duffey in June 2026 on behalf of her daughter, a 15-year-old girl who allegedly played on a youth basketball team coached by Duffey People.
Sara Gilson thanked fans for their support weeks before her death
Before her viral TikTok video, Gilson publicly thanked her followers for standing by her during her breakup with Duffey.
“Thank you for the Army. Your thoughts, prayers and gift cards have meant more than you know,” she wrote via TikTok on June 20, 2026. “As I grieve and try to process the worst thing imaginable, my sole focus is on my children and their well-being. Their safety and mental health are my only concern at this time.”
She concluded, “We’re not okay and I’m not sure I’ll ever be the same again, but God has been so faithful through this process and I feel His presence in everything I do.”
Shawn Duffey and Sara Gilson
Courtesy of TikTok / Sara GilsonGilson shared a recent TikTok on July 21, 2023, where she wrote a now-eerie message over a photo of herself relaxing on a boat.
“May whatever the hell this was never find me again,” she wrote. “Please God. 🫶🏼😔 #traumatok.”
The 911 dispatcher revealed shocking information about the day of the alleged shooting
Per PeopleEmergency dispatchers reported hearing Gilson “screaming and crying” before she was found dead by police. A minor family member had called 911 to report a break-in at a home.
“I’m trying to reach (the caller), but I could hear a woman screaming and crying in the background. Kind of a loud bang in the background,” a distressed dispatcher reported in recordings.
Moments later, a dispatcher said the situation involved a “man we were looking for a few weeks ago after he was caught kissing a juvenile,” referring to “a gun.”
Sara Gilson and Shawn Duffey were found dead in their home
Police arrived at Gilson’s home in Owasso, near Oklahoma City, at approximately 11:18 p.m. local time on July 23, 2026.
The separated couple was found dead at the scene. A family member later told police they suspected a murder-suicide.
The Owasso Police Department has not yet confirmed that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide plan, but an active investigation is underway at the time of publication.
A GoFundMe has been set up for Sara Gilson’s children
A fundraiser for Gilson’s two children has raised more than $23,000 at the time of publication.
“Last night, our beautiful friend Sara was tragically taken from us in an unimaginable act of violence. Her sudden and heartbreaking loss has left an entire community in mourning, but the greatest loss is felt by her two precious children, who must now endure life without their loving mother,” reads a message on GoFundMe. “Sara was an incredible mother. Her children were the center of her world and everything she did was for them. She loved them more than anything, worked hard to provide for them and dreamed of giving them the best life possible.”
The statement continued: “We are creating this GoFundMe to support Sara’s children as they navigate the difficult days, months and years ahead. Donations will help cover their immediate needs, counseling, education, funeral costs and other costs as they begin this unimaginable journey without their mother.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call 988, text or chat on 988lifeline.org.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential assistance.
