On September 12, 2016, 37-year-old April Diane Owenby Holton died a day after a violent incident at the home of her recently divorced husband, former Eclectic mayor Michael Holton. The prior evening a deputy had visited after the couple called for advice about their 17-year-old son, Madison, and left; shortly thereafter a neighbor reported gunshots. Deputies found Michael with a fatal gunshot wound to the head and April mortally wounded by a gunshot; she died the next day.

Madison, who was the only other person in the house, told investigators his father shot his mother and then himself. The case was originally treated as a possible murder-suicide, but investigators later focused on Madison and charged him with killing both parents. Questions arose during the investigation: Michael’s wound location was described as inconsistent with a self-inflicted shot, there was no blood or gunshot residue found on Madison, Michael’s DNA was found under April’s fingernails, Michael had scratches on his body, his diary noted suicidal thoughts, and his autopsy detected a mix of drugs.

In October 2018 prosecutors dropped the murder charges against Madison, saying they lacked enough evidence to convict. The deaths of April and Michael Holton remain unresolved. If anyone knew the Holtons or has information about that September 2016 night, please come forward.