Muscatine murder-suicide victims at hands of Ryan Willis McFarland identified as fundraiser backs surviving son, Johnathan McFarland as authorities continue to probe what led to a father and husband gunning down his wife and kids.
Authorities in Muscatine, Iowa, have identified six family members killed in a a mult-scene murder-suicide that left a seventh relative, Johnathan McFarland, as the sole survivor, as the community rallies around him with an online fundraiser.
Ryan Willis McFarland, 52, is alleged to have fatally shot and killed his wife, Lesa McFarland, 51, and five children at multiple locations in Muscatine on Monday before killing himself when confronted by officers. Officers first responded to a home where four victims were found dead, then located two additional male relatives fatally shot at a separate residence and a business, according to Muscatine Police Chief Anthony Kies.
Local officials and school district leaders earlier confirmed that the deceased included two students and two staff members with the Muscatine Community School District. Authorities identified all six victims as their names were read aloud during a community vigil held Tuesday night.
Muscatine murder-suicide victims identified
51-year-old Lesa McFarland, her daughter Ryle (20), and sons Dakota (32), Austin (29), Mark (16), and Ryan Jr. (13), were all named during a tribute speech at the vigil.
Austin Harris, 29, was killed at his home, while the killer’s other stepson, Dakota Whitlow, 32, was killed while working at his late father’s metal shop, Willits Metalworks.
The vigil was held on June 2, at 7 p.m. at Muscatine High School football stadium.
Johnathan McFarland, 22, the surviving son of Lesa and Ryan McFarland, spoke for a few minutes at the vigil. He was soft-spoken and took his time when he referred the tragedy that took the lives of his family ourquadcities reported.
Muscatine murder-suicide sole survivor addresses vigil
‘It’s hard to even think that this is even real. I’m still in denial,’ the surviving family member said. McFarland also said he would mourn and miss his father ‘no matter what is being told to me.’
Friends and relatives launched an online GoFundMe campaign to support funeral, counseling, and living costs for Johnathan McFarland.
A preliminary investigation revealed the shootings stemmed from a domestic dispute. Ryan McFarland was heard shouting about money outside his home just 10 minutes before the shootings, his neighbor Melissa Weggen told the Quad-City Times.
‘I heard him walk by my house, saying, ‘Don’t worry about money. Everything goes away when you die,’ the neighbor chillingly recalled overhearing.
Police ask that anyone with information related to the tragedy contact Lt. David O’Connor of the Muscatine Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit at 563-263-9922, extension 608. Callers may remain anonymous.
