Mark Rutter, 43, died on February 20, 2015, in Van Buren, Missouri, after a violent family confrontation that turned fatal. According to investigators and sworn testimony, the dispute between Rutter and his son escalated while Rutter’s partner, Tammy Cornman, tried to intervene. Witnesses and deputies reported that Rutter produced a pistol and pressed it to Cornman’s head. At that point their son, Marcus Cornman, fired a rifle and fatally shot Rutter.

The case proceeded to an inquest rather than a conventional criminal prosecution. In April 2015 a coroner’s jury heard testimony, including from a Carter County deputy, and ruled the killing justified, concluding Marcus Cornman had acted in defense of his mother. No charges, trial, or conviction are reported in connection with Rutter’s death.

If anyone knew Mark Rutter, Tammy Cornman, or Marcus Cornman and can add context about the events that day, please share what you know.