Janessa Russell

Janessa Russell, a 44-year-old white woman and mother of three, was killed in a violent attack at a home in her community of Independence, Missouri. Her children were Devan Brown, Kayden Russell, and Toby Pointer. Her life was taken on the afternoon of February 9, 2024, in a double homicide that also claimed the life of her sister, 47-year-old Jessika Koehler.

The incident unfolded around 3:30 p.m. at a residence in the 1300 block of North Lynn Street. Police officers responded to several calls reporting gunfire and arrived to find a grim scene. One of the sisters was discovered in the driveway, while the other was found on the basement floor. Both women had suffered fatal gunshot wounds and were pronounced deceased before they could be taken to a hospital. The shooting prompted a nearby high school to be placed on a temporary lockdown as a precaution.

The investigation quickly led to a suspect who was located near the home. Surveillance video from a Ring camera captured a man arriving in a vehicle, getting out with a pistol in his hand, and running into the driveway while firing shots as he entered the open garage. Officers followed a trail of blood to find Namphonh Suady, who had sustained a gunshot wound to his forearm. He was taken into custody at the scene.

Suady was initially charged with unlawful possession of a firearm. He was later charged in connection with the deaths of Janessa Russell and Jessika Koehler. In Jackson County Circuit Court, Suady pleaded guilty to two counts of first-degree involuntary manslaughter. For these crimes, he was sentenced to serve 17 years in prison.