On April 7, 2019, 38-year-old Lori Shields, an elementary school secretary and mother of three from Norton, Kansas, was found dead at her home after the Norton County Sheriff’s Office acted on a tip. The small community was rocked by the loss; Eisenhower Elementary School canceled classes so staff and students could mourn.

Investigators quickly focused on Lori’s husband, 42-year-old Damien Shields. While Lori’s body was being discovered, Damien — hundreds of miles away — reportedly called Lori’s sister and said, Oh, she’s dead. I killed her. A multi-state search followed. Early the next morning police found Damien in a Cape Girardeau, Missouri, hotel room with what appeared to be self-inflicted gunshot wounds; he was treated at a hospital and taken into custody. He had a prior domestic battery conviction and previous prison time.

The case left three children without their mother and a grieving community. If anyone in Norton or nearby communities has information about Lori’s last day or interactions in the days before April 7, please come forward.