Megan Kylean Smith, 24, of Orange, Texas, died on March 13, 2017. She was a homemaker and mother of two who attended The Cowboy Church in Orange and enjoyed singing, writing poetry, and barrel racing. Family described her as loving and devoted to her children.

Initial accounts left the circumstances unclear; investigators later determined her husband, Robert Hand, was responsible for the fatal shooting. Hand told authorities he believed the gun was empty when it fired. Family members and some witnesses disputed that account, citing prior incidents of abuse and drug use.

Robert Hand was charged with criminally negligent homicide. A jury convicted him in April 2018; he was sentenced to two years in prison and fined $10,000. Megan’s family has said the outcome fell short of what they wanted and continue to seek accountability.