On November 20, 2024, 9-year-old Alex Louks was found dead in his Amherst Township, Ohio, home alongside his mother, 46-year-old Risa Louks, after firefighters responded to a fire at the residence around 7:30 a.m. The Lorain County Sheriff’s Office reports investigators believe Risa fatally shot Alex, then attempted to set the house on fire and later died at the scene.

Court records show Alex’s father, Guy Louks, had filed for emergency custody in Henry County, Indiana, on November 12, 2024, alleging medical abuse while Alex was in Risa’s care. An emergency hearing was scheduled for November 25, 2024, and Risa had been served notice of that hearing.

Alex was a third-grade student at Powers Elementary School. Teachers and classmates remembered him as a kind, joyful child who loved animals and drawing; the school held a memorial and planted a tree in his honor. The family’s pets, including their dog Bumper, two cats, fish, and a mouse, were taken in by the Friendship Animal Protective League; Bumper received treatment for smoke inhalation and burns.

If anyone knew Alex or has information about the events leading up to November 20, please share what you know.