A Louisiana mother is reeling after the unexpected loss of her daughter. The 2-year-old girl was reportedly shot and killed by her grandfather, Leroy Sadler. In addition to the little girl, her father and grandfather’s wife were also killed. After failing to negotiate with police, Leroy Sadler turned the gun on himself, making the killings a murder-suicide.
The girl’s mother had no idea what was happening at the time. Now, she has to bury her daughter without ever knowing the details of why she died.
Around 6:45 a.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025, officers from the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office, were called to a home in Keithville, KSLA reported. According to officials, a welfare check was requested, prompting officers to go to the home. When they got there, they tried to talk to someone in the house. The person, who was later identified as Leroy Sadler, refused to talk.
A few minutes later, they heard a single gunshot inside the house. Deputies then used a drone to look into the house. That’s when they saw four possibly dead bodies, including Leroy Sadler. It was soon confirmed.
A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office told KSLA that a neighbor told deputies the person who lived in the house was a “doomsday prepper” before they entered the home. The Shreveport bomb squad was called as a precaution.
Days after the killings, the victims were identified by the Caddo Parish Coroner’s Office. In addition to 60-year-old Leroy Sadler, his wife, 64-year-old Judy Sadler, his son, 29-year-old James Sadler, and 2-year-old granddaughter Adalynn Mae Sadler were killed.
Adalynn’s mother, Kara Hanning, spoke with KSLA about her daughter’s death. She told the news outlet that she was at work at the time of the shooting. Friends reached out to her, asking if Adalynn was OK because they heard something happened near her grandparents’ home.
Immediately, Hanning reached out to her daughter’s babysitter to see if she’d been dropped off. Worry began to take hold when she learned she hadn’t. The mom then reached out to James Sadler, and when she didn’t get him, she texted Leroy Sadler.
Not hearing back from anyone, she quickly left work, and drove to the Sadlers’ home. When she got there, she asked detectives if her baby girl was OK.
“And they just looked at me with the most saddest expression and I lost it, I did, because I don’t think anybody would want to lose their baby like that,” she said. Hanning described her daughter as a sweet and sassy toddler whose favorite word was “no.” Adalynn loved being outside and playing with bubbles.
When asked about what could have led to the tragedy, Hanning said Leroy Sadler was under stress. “I feel terrible because I wish he would’ve asked for help for whatever he was going through, and I dunno what pain he must’ve been going through,” she said.
Although it appears he killed her daughter, Hanning doesn’t want to vilify Leroy Sadler. Instead, she wants to use this as an opportunity to talk about mental health. “I can’t hate him — I will never be able to hate him. I forgive him for his actions,” she said. The mom said she wishes it never happened, “but I have no hate in my heart for that man.”
A fundraiser for Adalynn’s funeral costs has been started by Hanning’s cousin, Morgan McCarty. “Instead of spending this Mother’s Day weekend with her baby, she will be laying her to rest. No mother should ever have to feel that kind of pain,” the fundraiser says.
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.
