Addison Riley Henning, a 5-year-old girl from Joliet, IL, tragically lost her life on August 28, 2017. Addison, along with her twin sister Makayla Ashley Henning, was found deceased in their home. The investigation revealed that their mother, Celisa (Lundborg) Henning, fatally shot both girls multiple times in the head before turning the gun on herself in a murder-suicide. The incident occurred in their residence on Reed Street, Joliet.
Addison and Makayla were both Caucasian and had just started kindergarten at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School.
The Joliet Police Department conducted a thorough investigation into the tragic event. A suicide note was discovered at the scene, but the contents were not disclosed to the public out of respect for the grieving family. Deputy Joliet Police Chief Al Roechner mentioned that the department might never fully understand what led Celisa Henning to commit such an act. There were no indications that Celisa was undergoing treatment for mental health issues at the time, although a friend noted that she had battled depression in the past.
The autopsy results confirmed that Addison and Makayla died from multiple gunshot wounds to the head. Their mother, Celisa, also died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The police investigation concluded that Celisa acted alone in this tragic event. The case was classified as a double murder-suicide, and no further arrests or suspects were involved.
The community of Joliet was deeply affected by the loss of Addison and Makayla. Their father, Steven Henning, returned home from work to discover the devastating scene. The family held a funeral service to honor the lives of the young girls, who were remembered for their love of bike riding, playing on their swing set, and enjoying cartoons and dolls. The tragedy left a lasting impact on the community, highlighting the importance of mental health awareness and support.
