In the winter of 2013, the life of 18-year-old Sierra Ann Landry was tragically cut short in Lancaster, South Carolina. On the night of December 30th, police responded to a call about a shooting and discovered Sierra's body in the yard of a residence on John Everall Road. She had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Investigators quickly identified her 18-year-old ex-boyfriend, Tanner Crolley, as the suspect.
The two had been in a tumultuous on-again, off-again relationship for about a year and a half, a relationship that Sierra's family said was marked by control and abuse.
In the days leading up to her death, Sierra had broken up with Crolley for good, but he continued to harass her with persistent calls and threatening messages. On that fateful December evening, the two were arguing outside a friend's house when Crolley shot Sierra. He fled the scene on foot but was apprehended by law enforcement a few hours later. Following his arrest, Crolley was charged with murder.
In December 2014, Tanner Crolley pleaded guilty to murder, burglary, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison. Sierra's family, devastated by their loss, said that Crolley had controlled and abused their daughter, and ultimately murdered her when she tried to leave him. Her tragic death prompted her family to advocate for 'Sierra's Law,' a legislative effort to provide greater protection for minors in abusive dating relationships.
