Keith Douglas Gardner, 41, was killed at his Nunica, Michigan home on the night of January 23, 2023. A domestic disturbance at his residence on 120th Avenue ended when Gardner sustained a single, fatal gunshot wound to the abdomen; he was taken to a Muskegon hospital and died from the injury. Two teenage children were in the home and were not physically harmed.

Investigators say Gardner’s ex-wife, Aaron Elizabeth Gardner, came to the home uninvited and gained possession of his firearm. Her initial report to dispatchers described an accidental discharge after she threw the gun down the stairs, but detectives say her account changed and contained inconsistencies. Authorities concluded her actions with the weapon were careless and charged her with careless use of a firearm causing death and with lying to a peace officer; she was arrested on March 10, 2023, arraigned on $25,000 bond, and later received a 270-day jail sentence (with credit for time served) plus 36 months probation. Family members called the outcome inadequate and also accused Aaron of forging titles and insurance documents after Keith’s death.

Keith Gardner is remembered by family as a loving father who coached his sons’ baseball teams and enjoyed the outdoors. Does anyone have information about the evening of January 23, 2023, or about contacts who might shed light on what happened that night?