Man kills daughter, commits suicide in Effie
Thu, 07/09/2015 - 12:19
AvoyellesToday.com
An Effie man and his 7-year-old daughter were found in a field behind their residence Wednesday night -- the victims of an apparent murder-suicide, Avoyelles Sheriff Doug Anderson said.
The deceased were identified as Ryan Recktenwald, 28, and his daughter, Madeline Recktenwald.
Anderson said deputies responded at about 8:50 p.m. Wednesday to a call of a reported shooting at a home on La. Hwy 1196 in Effie. Deputies found the bodies in the field behind the residence. The Recktenwalds had been staying with friends in the house.
The friends -- which Anderson did not identify -- said Recktenwald had been depressed over several personal issues.
The father and daughter left the home earlier in the evening without telling the friends they were leaving, causing the friends to become concerned.
When they heard gunshots near the home, they searched the area for the Recktenwalds, finding the bodies in the field.
Investigators said the child was shot three times with a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. Recktenwald then is believed to have turned the gun on himself, firing one shot into his chest. Coroner Dr. L.J. Mayeux examined the bodies and pronounced them dead at the scene.
“The hopelessness and helplessness that people experience causing them to believe that their death is the only option is a tragedy,” Anderson said. “The loss of a life so young and the destruction of a family is devasting to all members of a community.”