Elizabeth Hayden, a 17-year-old girl from Cincinnati, OH, tragically lost her life on October 21, 2015. She was killed in a shooting incident along with her 16-year-old sister, Sarah Hayden, while their friend, 17-year-old Joshua Hacker, was injured but survived. The perpetrator, their 21-year-old brother, Matthew Hayden, was charged with the murders and attempted murder.
Matthew Hayden was later found to be suffering from schizophrenia and had been hearing voices, which led him to carry a handgun for self-protection. On the night of the incident, he walked up to the minivan where his sisters and their friend were seated and fired multiple rounds with a 9 mm handgun, emptying one magazine and reloading to continue shooting.
The tragic event took place in the driveway of the family's home in Colerain Township. Matthew Hayden surrendered to the police without incident shortly after the shooting. He was eventually sentenced to 56 years to life in prison for the murders of his sisters and the attempted murder of Joshua Hacker.
The case highlighted the complexities of mental illness and its impact on criminal behavior. Despite the tragic loss, Elizabeth Hayden's family has expressed forgiveness towards her brother, acknowledging his mental health struggles.
