A family was changed forever when a Wyoming mom shot and killed her daughters before shooting herself in an apparent murder-suicide. Three of the four girls didn’t survive being shot in the head. And now, the one girl who did survive is fighting for her life. It is an unspeakable tragedy, and two men were left behind to pick up the pieces.
The dads of the girls are still processing the immense grief of losing their daughters. But now, they are speaking out about how they’re feeling amid the tragedy.
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On February 10, 2025, 32-year-old mom of four Tranyelle Harshman shot and killed her four daughters, aged 9, 7, and two who were 2 years old. Harshman shot each girl in the head before calling 911. While on the phone with the dispatcher, she gave detailed information about where the bodies would be found. She then told the dispatcher that she was planning on shooting herself in the head as well before ending the call, MTN News reported.
When police arrived on the scene, Tranyelle Harshman’s 9-year-old daughter and one of her 2-year-old daughters were already dead. Her second toddler died shortly after their arrival. Tranyelle Harshman and her 7-year-old were still alive and taken to the hospital. The next day, Tranyelle Harshman died in the hospital, but her 7-year-old daughter was airlifted to a hospital in Salt Lake City and is still alive.
Now the fathers of the four girls are speaking out about how they’re handling the tragedy.
“I know this was something beyond what I can comprehend. I’m a mess,” Cliff Harshman told KTVQ. He and Tranyelle Harshman had been together for five years and shared 2-year-old daughters Brooke and Jordan. “I’m so angry. I don’t even know how to explain this to you. I’m so angry with her for the decision that was made,” he continued.
And while Cliff Harshman is angry with his wife, he’s asking the public to not jump to conclusions about who she was. According to him, his wife was battling “post-traumatic stress disorder, post-partum depression, and general depression.” He said that she was being treated for her mental health issues.
“People don’t understand how mental illness isn’t just a willpower thing. It’s chemical imbalances in your brain. It’s damaged pathways in your brain,” he said. “She was an incredible mom and she loved those kids.”
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Quinn Blackmer, Tranyelle Harshman’s ex-husband and father to 9-year-old Brailey and 7-year-old Olivia, also spoke to the outlet.
“There’s no textbook. There’s no playbook. There are very few people who have gone through this,” he said. “I’m furious. I’m trying my hardest to bury that for a while and to focus on the now, because that anger isn’t going to bring my child back.”
Blackmer has been spending every possible second he has at Olivia’s bedside. Olivia is currently being sedated and will be placed in a long-term coma to alleviate pressure on her brain. According to Blackmer, a recent CT scan showed no serious blood vessel damage, and Olivia has been semi-responsive to touch.
“It makes all of us here very optimistic that things are trending forward,” he said. While Olivia is in the hospital, he has been singing hymns to her nightly to maintain a routine.
Speaking about his daughters, he called them “peas in a pod.” He said the girls were “the kids you want,” adding that anyone “would be lucky to have them.”
A GoFundMe has been set up for both Cliff Harshman and Quinn Blackmer to help with the expenses they’re facing.
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.
