A welfare check on December 8, 2025, in the Weston/Caney Lake area of Jonesboro, Louisiana, produced a double fatality. Responding officers found 62-year-old James Bradford and 62-year-old Gayla Smith inside a residence on Shows Lane; both had injuries consistent with gunshot wounds. The Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office opened an investigation and confirmed the identities in a December 10, 2025 statement.

Investigators said they had a preliminary understanding of what occurred but were awaiting autopsy results to establish official cause and manner of death. The sheriff’s office also stated there was no evidence of an ongoing threat or a suspect at large. No further details about suspects or arrests have been released and the investigation remains active.

If anyone has information about the incident or knew either James Bradford or Gayla Smith, please contact the Jackson Parish Sheriff’s Office.