Laura Lynn Easter Patschke, 47, of Crawford, Texas, was killed on July 6, 2015, when her ex-boyfriend, James Ray Brossett, broke into her home and shot her with a shotgun. Her teenage son was also shot in the arm while trying to protect his mother; he survived the wound.

Brossett was arrested and charged with capital murder and attempted capital murder. Prosecutors at one point sought the death penalty, and later offered a plea that resulted in life sentences without parole for both the murder and the attempted murder, a decision the family publicly supported as a way to avoid prolonged appeals.

The slaying devastated Patschke’s family and the local community. Anyone who knew Laura, her son, or who has information about the events leading up to July 6, 2015, is asked to come forward.