She Lost Her 2-Year-Old Daughter in a Murder-Suicide. Now She’s Speaking Out About the Killer’s Mindset

A Louisiana mother whose 2-year-old daughter was killed by her grandfather in a murder-suicide is speaking out about the tragedy, and revealing that she is still searching for answers.

Adalynn Mae Sadler was shot dead by her grandfather Leroy Sadler, 60, in the early morning hours of May 5 while visiting his home in Keithville, according to the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies also found her grandmother Judy, 64, and father James, 29, deceased at the scene.

In the wake of this tragedy, Adalynn’s mother Kara Hanning spoke with KSLA about her loss as she prepared to bury her only child — on Mother’s Day.

“I’m completely at a loss for words for that, because he loved that baby so much,” she said of Adalynn’s relationship with her grandfather.

She added, “He did love her, and I don’t know what caused this to happen or what he must have been going through. I feel terrible because I wish he had asked for help.”

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Hanning also described the sense of dread she felt that morning when someone informed her of an incident that had occurred on the street where Adalynn’s grandparents live.

She was at work at the time, and said that she immediately called Adalynn’s babysitter to make sure her daughter had been dropped off that morning.

The babysitter told her that she had not seen Adalynn or her father that day.

Hanning next tried to contact Leroy, Judy and James to check on her daughter, but got no response.

At that point, Hanning decided to drive home, and said that as soon as she pulled into her driveway she was approached by detectives.

“And they just looked at me with the saddest expression and I lost it. I did, because I don’t think anybody would want to lose their baby like that,” Hanning said.

The CPSO said that deputies responded to the residence just before 7 a.m. on May 6 in response to a welfare call and tried to engage with an individual inside the home.

A short time later, deputies heard a single gunshot from inside the residence, and upon entering the home discovered the bodies of the deceased.

Hanning said that Leroy’s stepdaughter had died of cancer just a few months prior, and he had also learned that his wife was sick.

She also said that she wishes she could have spoken to him about his struggles.

“I feel terrible because I wish he would’ve asked for help for whatever he was going through, and I don’t know what pain he must’ve been going through,”  Hanning said.

She then said that despite his actions, she does not hate Leroy.

“I can’t hate him. I will never be able to hate him,” Hanning said. “I forgive him for his actions. I wish it never happened, but I have no hate in my heart for that man.”

A family member has since created a GoFundMe to help Hanning cover the cost of her daughter’s funeral and other expenses.