On July 30, 2017, a tragedy unfolded in Webster County near Springfield, Missouri, claiming the life of 5-year-old William 'Will' Vincent Kinney. The young boy was found deceased alongside his 7-year-old brother, Robert 'Robbie' Dale Kinney Jr., in their father's home. The incident began when emergency responders were called to a residential fire in Marshfield. Upon arrival, authorities discovered the bodies of the two children and their father inside the burning structure.
Investigators determined that the fire had been intentionally set.
The subsequent investigation revealed that the boys had been shot to death before the house was set ablaze. The perpetrator was identified as their father, 45-year-old Robert Kinney. Authorities concluded that Robert Kinney had murdered his two sons and then committed suicide by turning the gun on himself. Because the sole suspect died at the scene, there were no arrests, trials, or convictions in connection with the deaths of William and his brother. The case was classified as a double murder-suicide.
Leading up to the event, the boys’ mother, Liegh Ann Malone, had expressed grave concerns about the safety of her children while they were in their father’s care. Reports surfaced indicating that child welfare officials had received notifications regarding potential danger, but inquiries had reportedly determined that there was insufficient evidence to remove the children or that the specific criteria for immediate intervention were not met at the time. The parents had recently finalized a divorce, and the mother had sought protective measures, fearing her ex-husband’s stability. Despite these warnings, the boys were visiting their father for a scheduled weekend when the violence occurred.
