On a tragic day in Everett, Pennsylvania, 89-year-old Laverne Audrey Lockard, a woman known for her deep Christian faith and love for music and animals, was found dead in her home. The events of November 8, 2022, unfolded as a suspected murder-suicide, leaving the community in shock.
Authorities believe that Laverne's son, 61-year-old Dennis Lockard, shot and killed his mother before setting their house on fire. Firefighters responded to the blaze in the early morning hours, around 3 a.m., where they discovered Laverne's body inside the residence. Outside the home, they found the body of Dennis Lockard, who appeared to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Laverne was born on July 14, 1933, and was the daughter of the late Marshall and Grace Messersmith. She was the widow of James Lockard, whom she married on December 22, 1954. A talented musician who could play many instruments, Laverne also had a passion for writing poetry and singing gospel hymns. She dedicated many years to volunteering in local nursing homes, where she would create homemade Christmas cards to ensure every resident had a gift. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who cherished spending time with her family and capturing memories through photographs. Her kindness extended to all living creatures, as she could never turn away a stray animal and adopted many cats throughout her life.
