The family of Heaven Glisson admitted the 24-year-old didn’t have the best taste in men, but her death still shocked them. The Independence, Kentucky, mother of two died on September 22, 2025, in what law enforcement believes was a murder-suicide. They suspect the father of her 4-month-old baby and ex-fiancé, 33-year-old Donald Bryant, killed Glisson.
Bryant reportedly shot her and 34-year-old Daylon Bradford, then turned the gun on himself. The crime shocked the small town and left two little boys without their mom.
According to Fox 19, Independence police said the disturbance began at Taylor Ridge Apartments just before midnight on Sunday evening. When officers arrived, they reportedly found Bradford outside the complex with a gunshot wound. He later died at an area hospital. Police learned that Bryant and Glisson went into the woods.
Several hours later, police heard eight gunshots coming from the nearby woods. The police located the bodies of Bryant and Glisson, dead from apparent gunshot wounds. But it seems this wasn’t law enforcement’s first encounter at the apartment where Glisson had lived for just two weeks.
Glisson’s stepfather, Justin Wade, spoke about the tragic death with Eric Deters in an interview posted to social media. Wade told Deters that Glisson and Bryant were engaged and had a child together. Bryant allegedly had violent episodes and narcissistic behavior, according to Wade. Deters asked Wade if Bryant was a “good guy,” to which he responded, “No.” Wade also admitted his stepdaughter did not have the best taste in men.
The night of the tragedy, Wade went to Glisson’s apartment hoping to find her alive. Instead, he walked into her home, where the door stood open, but she didn’t respond.
“I walk into the apartment, I yell her name, nobody answers,” he recalled through tears during the interview. “Then I go in a little bit further and I see the babies laying in bed alone. I knew something was wrong.”
Initially, Independence Police Captain Mike Brock told Fox 19 that officers responded to a call at the apartment complex days earlier for an “emotional crisis” involving Bryant.
“Their relationship is unknown to us at this point; what their prior relationship was before Heaven moved here is unclear to us right now, but we are piecing everything together,” Brock said.
Loved ones created fundraisers for both Glisson and Bradford to help with final expenses and the ongoing support of Glisson’s sons.
When it comes to domestic violence, no one wins. And these poor children will grow up without the love of their innocent mother. That’s the greatest tragedy of all.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of domestic abuse, you can find help and support at DVIS.org, the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or by contacting your local women’s shelter (domesticshelters.org).
