On March 26, 2015, authorities in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, were dispatched to a residence in the rural community of Whitewater, near Gordonville, following reports of a violent incident. Upon their arrival at the home, deputies discovered the body of 27-year-old female Melissa Luttrell, who had suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. The scene presented a grim tableau of domestic tragedy, as law enforcement also located another individual in the home suffering from life-threatening
injuries.
The second person found at the scene was identified as 54-year-old Ricky Lee Schweain, who was Luttrell's stepfather. Schweain had sustained gunshot wounds to his own chest, which investigators determined were self-inflicted in an apparent suicide attempt following the shooting of his stepdaughter. He was transported to a hospital for emergency treatment, surviving the injuries. While recovering, Schweain provided statements to the police regarding the events that transpired, claiming that an argument had erupted between him and Luttrell. He alleged that she had threatened to have friends physically harm him, which escalated the confrontation.
According to Schweain’s account to detectives, he retrieved a firearm and pointed it at Luttrell during the dispute. He asserted that the weapon discharged accidentally when she attempted to grab it from him. However, evidence gathered at the scene and the nature of the encounter led prosecutors to file charges against him. Schweain was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Luttrell’s death. The investigation highlighted the lethal end to the domestic disturbance, dismissing the notion of a purely accidental discharge.
The legal proceedings concluded the following year. In January 2016, Ricky Lee Schweain appeared in court where he entered a guilty plea to the charge of second-degree murder. During the sentencing hearing, his defense attorney argued for leniency, citing his lack of a prior violent criminal history, his cooperation with law enforcement, and his expressions of remorse. Despite these arguments, the judge handed down a substantial penalty, sentencing Schweain to 30 years in prison for the killing of Melissa Luttrell.
