Influencer Sara Gilson was allegedly killed by her estranged husband, Shawn Duffey, mere weeks after she allegedly accused him of being a pedophile.
Tulsa’s ABC affiliate reported on July 23, 2026, that Gilson and Duffey were found dead in their Oklahoma City home after a fatal shooting. A juvenile family member present at the scene allegedly told investigators that the the separated couple died by murder-suicide.
Two weeks earlier, Gilson stunned her 43,000 TikTok followers by accusing Duffey of pedophilia and insisting they were “soon to be” divorced. (Duffey never publicly addressed the accusations before his death.)
An investigation into the alleged murder-suicide is ongoing, as of publication. Gilson is survived by two children from a previous relationship.
Keep scrolling for more information about Gilson below.
Sara Gilson Was a Fashion and Lifestyle Influencer
The alarming content about Duffey was abnormal for Gilson’s TikTok account. The hairstylist gained more than 40,000 followers for her commentary on fashion trends and parenting her two children.
Her TikTok bio stressed to followers that her fashion videos only featured “Amazon finds [that] I actually use.”
Sara Gilson Publicly Accused Husband Shawn Duffey of Pedophilia Before Their Deaths
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 was filming an interview for a documentary or reality show.
“Preparing for when Netflix drops a documentary about my soon-to-be ex-husband, who I just found out is a pedophile,” she wrote over the clip.
She added, “I wish I was joking.”
@mrsgilson I wish I was joking. #plottwist #netflix #documentary
The video followed a popular viral trend but its shocking content quickly went viral. As 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 their deaths.
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 through at least August 24.
Per the oulet, Gilson previously filed a restraining order against Duffey in 2021 though it was ultimately dismissed because she did not attend a hearing.
Another woman filed a separate order of protection against Duffey in June 2026, on behalf of her daughter, a 15-year-old girl who allegedly played on a youth basketball team that Duffey coached, according to People.
Sara Gilson Thanked Fans for Their Support Weeks Before Her Death
Prior to her viral TikTok video, Gilson publicly thanked her followers for standing by her through her split 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. “While I’m grieving and trying to process the worst thing imaginable, I’m solely focused on my children and their well-being. Their safety and mental health is my only concern at this time.”
She concluded, “We are not OK and I’m not sure I’ll ever be the same, but God has been so faithful in this process and I feel his presence in everything I do.”
Shawn Duffey and Sara Gilson Courtesy TikTok / Sara Gilson
Gilson shared a final TikTok on July 21, 2023, where she wrote a now-eerie message over a photo of her relaxing on a boat.
“May whatever the f*** that was never find me again,” she wrote. “Please God. 🫶🏼😔 #traumatok.”
911 Dispatchers Revealed Shocking Information About the Day of Alleged Shooting
Per People, emergency dispatchers reported hearing Gilson “screaming and crying” before she was found dead by police. A minor family member had called 911 to report a home break-in.
“I’m trying to reach [the caller] back, but I could hear a female in the background screaming and crying. Some sort of loud bang in the background,” a dispatcher desperately relayed in recordings.
Moments later, a dispatcher said the situation involved a “male that we were looking for a few weeks ago after he got caught kissing a juvenile” and made a reference to “a gun.”
Sara Gilson and Shawn Duffey Were Found Dead at Their Home
Police arrived at Gilson’s home in Owasso, near Oklahoma City, at around 11:18 p.m. local time on July 23, 2026.
The separated couple were found dead at the scene. A family member later told police that they suspected a murder-suicide.
The Owasso Police Department has not yet confirmed that the deaths were as a result of a murder-suicide plot but an active investigation is underway, as of publication.
A GoFundMe Was Set Up for Sara Gilson’s Children
A fundraiser for Gilson’s two children has raised more than $23,000, as 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 grieving, but the greatest loss is felt by her two precious children, who must now face life without their loving mother,” a message on the GoFundMe read. “Sara was an incredible mom. Her children were the center of her world, and everything she did was for them. She loved them fiercely, worked hard to provide for them, and dreamed of giving them the best life possible.”
The statement went on, “We are creating this GoFundMe to help support Sara’s children as they navigate the difficult days, months, and years ahead. Donations will help provide for their immediate needs, counseling, education, funeral expenses, and other costs that arise as they begin this unimaginable journey without their mother.”
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org.
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.
