On October 31, 2018, 32-year-old female Torie May, also known as Torie Parrow, was killed in a residence on West Elm Street in Springfield, Missouri. The incident occurred on Halloween while Torie was in the process of moving away from the home she had shared with her husband. She had returned to the property specifically to retrieve a Halloween costume for her eight-year-old son, whom she had left waiting in the car outside.
When she did not return to the vehicle, her son contacted emergency services.
Upon arrival, Springfield police discovered Torie deceased inside the home, having suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Also found dead at the scene was her husband, 36-year-old Melvin Parrow. Investigators located a firearm in Melvin's hand and a child's jester costume in the corner of the room. Authorities determined the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide, with Melvin shooting Torie before turning the weapon on himself.
Prior to the shooting, Torie had been the victim of ongoing domestic abuse and had recently sought legal protection. In the week leading up to her death, Melvin had been arrested for assaulting her but was subsequently released from jail with an ankle monitor and court orders to stay away from Torie and their residence. Despite the protection order, he continued to contact her. Because the perpetrator died at the scene, no arrests were made, and no criminal trial took place in connection with her death.
