Krystal Hope Lopez, 35, was found dead inside her Burlington, Iowa, home on the night of December 5, 2023, two days after her birthday. Officers who entered the residence in the 1000 block of Elm Street discovered Lopez with what appeared to be a single gunshot wound. The Burlington Police Department’s Criminal Investigation Division opened a death investigation and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation assisted; an autopsy was performed on December 7 and police publicly confirmed her identity on December 8.

Authorities released few details about what preceded the shooting. Police said they did not believe there was an immediate danger to the surrounding community, but they did not explain the basis for that assessment. Reports did not confirm whether a firearm was recovered, whether anyone witnessed the shooting, whether Lopez had been alone, or whether detectives had developed a person of interest.

Lopez was born December 3, 1988, in Indio, California, and was described by relatives as a stay-at-home mother who loved spending time with her children and extended family. She is survived by three children and numerous family members; cremation was entrusted to King-Lynk Funeral Home and Crematory and a celebration of life was planned.

No arrest, charge, or publicly named suspect has been announced. If anyone knew Krystal or has information about what happened at her home on December 5, please share what you can with investigators.