In the quiet suburbs of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, a horrific act of violence shattered the peace on a late Wednesday night in June of 2019. Crista Mae Sudduth, a 35-year-old female, became a victim in a tragic triple homicide that also claimed the lives of her grandmother, 72-year-old Ruby Lee White, and her boyfriend, 32-year-old Ivy Frank. The devastating events unfolded at White's residence on South Harrell's Ferry Road, leaving a community in shock and two young boys without their mother.
The evening of June 26, 2019, took a dark turn when Michael Lee Wade, the 48-year-old ex-boyfriend of Crista, arrived at the home. In what authorities would later describe as a 'crime of rage,' Wade opened fire, fatally wounding Sudduth, White, and Frank. The brutality of the act was compounded by the presence of Crista's two sons, aged 14 and 12. In a remarkable display of courage, the older brother managed to get his younger sibling out of the house as the shooting began and called 911. The two boys hid in a shed in the backyard until law enforcement arrived, their quick thinking likely saving them from harm.
When deputies from the East Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office responded to the scene, they were met with a grim discovery. Inside the home, they found the bodies of the three victims. The children were able to provide a description of the shooter, whom they recognized as their mother's former boyfriend, and his vehicle. This crucial information allowed law enforcement to quickly locate Wade. After a brief pursuit, he was apprehended in the Shenandoah area.
Following his arrest, Michael Lee Wade was charged with three counts of first-degree murder and illegal use of a weapon. The community was left to mourn the senseless loss of three lives, with fundraisers being organized to help with the funeral expenses for Crista and her grandmother. The case highlighted the devastating impact of domestic violence, leaving a lasting scar on the families involved and the Baton Rouge community.
