WARNING: This article contains information that some people may find triggering or upsetting. Discretion is advised.
VERDIGRIS, OKLAHOMA: The Rogers County Community as the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) delved into a tragic triple murder-suicide case involving 39-year-old Brandy McCaslin and her three children, Noe, Brice, and Billy. Distraught neighbors gathered to pay their respects and created a touching memorial on a tree in front of the house, adorned with colorful flowers and pom poms, in remembrance of the children.
The callous tragedy left the entire community in shock and disbelief. Bill Salwaechter, one of the neighbors, found it difficult to fathom the heartbreaking events that unfolded. He cherished memories of Noe, Brice, and Bubba, as lovingly written on the memorial tree, and recalled witnessing the distressing sight as multiple officers attempted to convince McCaslin to surrender.
Neighbors paint a grim picture of the tragic incident
"I think it was around 3 pm, and police officers were here in massive numbers," said Salwaechter. "Those are the guys I really feel sorry for since they have to go through that." OSBI revealed that she was armed and barricaded inside the house during the encounter. The OSBI then went inside as they got no response and a tragic scene awaited them: McCaslin and her three children lay dead with gunshot wounds.
The exterior of their home did not reflect well-kept conditions, with shattered garage windows and toys scattered amid tall grass. Blake Forsman, a neighbor living across the street with his family, recalled fixing their fence previously to prevent their dogs from entering his property. He stated that he had often observed McCaslin at the bus stop, waiting for her children or loading up a truck. "I did see the kids come in and off the bus a couple of times," Forsman said.
'Those kids were the future of America'
"They looked like normal kids," Forsman said. "They would get off the bus, run inside, ride and bike, just normal kids." The loss of innocent lives, particularly the children who had no involvement in the tragic event, weighed heavily on the hearts of neighbors. "The pitiful part is those kids had nothing to do with it," Salwaechter said. "Now they're gone. Those kids were the future of America."
Hunter McKee, the OSBI public information manager, recounted how Verdigris police noticed fireworks erupting outside the McCaslin home while patrolling the neighborhood at 4 pm. On social media, the father of the 10-month-old child, who was among the victims, confirmed his son's tragic fate but understandably refrained from discussing the heart-wrenching incident.
“When you’re talking about four individuals who are dead, three children. This is extremely difficult for everybody involved. Everybody that’s looking into this as best as they can. As I said, this a long process," said McKee to Fox 25. He added, “The Verdigris Police department did a good job of making sure the that scene was clear as quickly as they could. But of course, making entry inside the home and finding out four people and three kids, it’s extremely tough."
