Homicide detectives in St. Louis, Missouri, hope to give a family answers following a devastating crime on the city’s north side. Firefighters responded to a call in the 5700 block of Floy Avenue just after midnight on December 21, 2025. When they put out the blaze, they discovered 45-year-old LaTasha Brown and her 9-year-old daughter, Paige Buckner, with gunshot wounds inside the home. Emergency responders took the mother and daughter to area hospitals, but sadly, both died.
Mitch McCoy, director of public affairs and information for the St. Louis Police Department, addressed the media on December 21. At the time, the mother and daughter were in “critical condition,” but homicide detectives preemptively began to investigate what happened at the home.
“We ask that St. Louisans come together and pray for them right now. They are hanging on,” McCoy said. Within hours of the news conference, both succumbed because of their injuries.
Neighbor Reginald Hunt told KSDK he called 911 after noticing flames coming from the home. He said firefighters came quickly and put out the fire. Hunt said he saw the family often.
“I was shocked,” Hunt said. “I see her every day. I see the little one every day. So I was really shocked.”
He said that even though they’d only lived there a few months, the family seemed happy. “Why would you shoot a woman and a kid? That’s just something I do not understand. Period,” Hunt added, per KSDK. Authorities have said the blaze was delibrately set.
According to Hunt, Brown had a significant other who also lived at the home but wasn’t there that night.
“They’re always together,” Hunt said, according to KSDK. “Even her spouse was always with her, and I was shocked to know that he was not home. I’m like, normally they’re together all the time.”
Lisa Thomas, Brown’s sister, set up a GoFundMe account to help cover final expenses.
“LaTasha was the most giving person I knew—she dedicated herself to organizing community events and always made sure to give back to those around her. Her kindness and generosity touched so many lives, and her absence leaves a hole in our hearts and our community,” Thomas wrote on the fundraiser.
“Paige was only nine years old, a bright and intelligent young lady with so much promise ahead of her. She brought joy and light to everyone she met, and it is heartbreaking to imagine a future without her laughter and spirit. The loss of both my sister and niece is unimaginable, and our family is struggling to come to terms with this tragedy,” the grieving woman added.
Sadly, it sounds like there is more to this story than the police have shared. Hopefully, this family will get closure, and whoever is responsible will spend the holidays behind bars where they belong.
