On a tragic Tuesday evening in June of 2015, the quiet community of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana, was rocked by a violent domestic dispute that left three family members dead, including 72-year-old Leola Blanchard. The incident unfolded at her home on La Rue Angelle, where a disturbance escalated into a fatal shooting.
At approximately 7:55 p.m. on June 23rd, Leola Blanchard made a harrowing 911 call, reporting the escalating disturbance.
In a turn of events that underscored the imminent danger, she informed the operator that she had been shot by her 59-year-old husband, Clifford Blanchard. A second 911 call was placed by their 32-year-old son, Scott Blanchard, who also reported being shot by his father. The series of events plunged the family into a devastating ordeal from which they would not all emerge.
When St. Martin Parish Sheriff's deputies arrived at the residence, they discovered a horrific scene. Leola Blanchard, her husband Clifford, and their 3-year-old granddaughter, Ashlynn Blanchard, had all suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Scott Blanchard was found with critical injuries and was hospitalized. The investigation revealed that following the initial shootings, a struggle occurred between Clifford and Scott, which resulted in Clifford Blanchard sustaining a fatal gunshot wound. Authorities later confirmed they were not searching for any suspects in the triple-fatal shooting, indicating the event was a murder-suicide initiated by Clifford Blanchard. Mr. Blanchard was a former corrections officer with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office, having last worked there in 2004.
