Heather Campbell, a 22-year-old white female and Ohio State University psychology major, was killed in a murder-suicide on September 17, 2017, in Columbus, Ohio. Her boyfriend, 25-year-old Kyle Lafferty, shot her in the left cheek and left thigh before turning the gun on himself in their shared apartment. Both individuals had blood alcohol levels more than double Ohio’s legal driving limit—Campbell’s was 0.22, while Lafferty’s was 0.21, placing them in a state of severe intoxication
described as “sloppy drunk” or near blackout.
The incident unfolded after neighbors reported hearing arguing and three gunshots around 2:34 a.m. on September 16. Police responded but did not enter the apartment, citing insufficient probable cause. A friend discovered the bodies nearly 24 hours later, finding the unlocked apartment door and both victims deceased in the kitchen. Authorities ruled Campbell’s death a homicide and Lafferty’s a suicide, noting the domestic nature of the crime. No arrests were made, as Lafferty died at the scene.
Campbell’s family and friends criticized the initial police response, with neighbors alleging officers dismissed their concerns due to their physical disabilities. Her parents later advocated for policy changes through “Heather’s Law,” focusing on police protocols and gun safety. The case highlighted systemic gaps in handling domestic violence calls, though no further suspects were identified.
