In the late spring of 2014, a quiet apartment complex in West Monroe, Louisiana, became the scene of a heart-wrenching tragedy that claimed the life of 4-year-old Adeleen Shea Forbis, a White/Caucasian female. On May 31, 2014, the young girl was found deceased in her home at the Camellia Trace Apartments on Arkansas Road. The discovery was made by West Monroe police who were responding to a call about an unresponsive person.
Upon entering the residence, authorities found a devastating
scene. Alongside Adeleen was her younger sister, 3-year-old Laila Forbis, and their 26-year-old mother, Katelin Dulaney. All three were deceased. The investigation that followed led authorities to the conclusion that Katelin Dulaney had taken the lives of her two young daughters before taking her own life in a tragic murder-suicide.
Neighbors of the family described Katelin as a private person who was often seen lovingly watching over her children. There were reportedly no outward signs of distress or instability in her life; in fact, she had been in the process of moving out of the apartment complex and seemed to be looking forward to a change. A graduate of Louisiana Tech with a degree in Marketing, Katelin was known for her creative and artistic talents, including photography and music. She was also actively involved in her community, volunteering for organizations like Habitat for Humanity.
In the wake of the tragedy, the community was left in shock and mourning, struggling to comprehend the sudden and devastating loss of two innocent children. The incident served as a somber reminder of the unseen struggles that individuals may face. As the investigation concluded that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide, there were no arrests made or suspects sought in the deaths of Adeleen and Laila Forbis. The case was closed with their mother identified as the sole individual responsible.
