Russel Dean Reeves was a 4-year-old White boy who died on September 20, 2021, in Rapid City, South Dakota. A relative called 911 about 5:20 p.m. and led officers to a mobile home where Russel and his 26-year-old mother, Trisha Paxson-Dennett, were found dead of apparent gunshot wounds.

Investigators reported that surveillance footage, interviews, and evidence at the scene led them away from the idea of a third-party double homicide and toward a murder-suicide inside the family’s home on North Spruce Street. Detectives said Russel’s father was not a suspect and was cooperating with the inquiry. Authorities were finishing interviews, awaiting routine forensic testing, and providing mental-health resources to family members and responding officers.

If anyone knew Russel or has information about the household or that day, please come forward.