Though 39-year-old Sarah Rice and 42-year-old Greg Johnson never married, the pair started dating when she was just a teenager. They had been together for more than 20 years and shared three children. By all accounts, the couple seemed happy, but that apparently wasn’t the case. On January 2, 2026, one of the couple’s children returned home from a playdate and found their parents dead in an apparent murder-suicide. Police arrived at the pair’s Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, home just after 10 p.m. They reportedly found Rice and Johnson dead in the basement and a firearm close by. Relatives now are doing their best to understand what went wrong.
According to a release from the Bethlehem Police Department, the child who found Rice and Johnson asked for help after being dropped off. “The child entered the home, then returned outside and reported a serious issue had just occurred inside the residence,” police noted in the release.
Rice and Johnson had three children together, ages 8, 4, and 2, per Lehigh Valley Live. The mother also has a 24-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. Though the couple did not marry, the family told the outlet they’d been together for more than two decades. The night of the shooting, police took at least two children from the home. An older adult was also inside but reportedly didn’t hear the gunfire.
The Bethlehem School District shared a message of love for the family on Facebook.
“Our hearts are with them and all those affected during this incredibly difficult time. The safety, well-being, and privacy of all students are our top priorities, and the district is working to provide appropriate support,” the statement read. “The incident continues to be under investigation by the Bethlehem Police Department. Out of respect for the students and the sensitive nature of the situation, we will not be sharing additional details.”
Janelle Rice created a GoFundMe account to support her sister’s children and help with final expenses.
“As many of you may already know, we have suffered an unimaginable loss. We have lost a beloved mother, daughter, wife, and friend to a senseless act of violence,” she wrote on the page. “A 39-year-old mother of four was tragically taken from us by her husband through a horrific act of harm.”
We may never know what happened at the family’s home that night. We hope the children will be able to heal and that the family will continue to support them as they try to move on from this horrific loss.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
