White/Caucasian Vita Marie Andreola French, a 66-year-old female resident of Rolla, Missouri, was the victim of a violent domestic incident that occurred in the spring of 2021. Born in Beloit, Wisconsin, Vita had built a life in Missouri where she was known as a dedicated community member and a retired teacher's aide who had served at St. Patrick's School. She shared a home on County Road 3160 with her husband of many years, Lawrence Raymond French, who was known to friends and family as Larry.
The couple had suffered the loss of their daughter, Megan, in previous years and were living out their retirement in Phelps County when the tragedy unfolded.
On May 8, 2021, a family friend grew concerned after not seeing or hearing from the couple for several days and decided to check on their well-being. Upon entering their residence, the friend discovered the lifeless bodies of both Vita and her 73-year-old husband. Law enforcement was immediately contacted, and the Phelps County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Rolla Rural Fire Department and the county coroner, responded to the scene to secure the area and begin an investigation. Initial assessments indicated that both individuals had sustained fatal gunshot wounds.
Detectives from the Phelps County Criminal Investigation Division launched an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Following the examination of physical evidence at the scene and subsequent autopsies, authorities determined that the event was a murder-suicide. The investigation concluded that Lawrence French had shot and killed Vita before turning the weapon on himself. Because the sole suspect in the homicide was deceased at the scene, there were no arrests made, and no criminal charges were filed. The case was closed without a trial or conviction, as investigators found no evidence suggesting the involvement of any third party.
