In the quiet early morning hours of June 10, 2025, a tragedy unfolded in Hampton, Virginia, ending the life of 86-year-old Patsy Palmer Gilliland. The distressing events began to come to light around 6:30 a.m. when a man contacted emergency services with a chilling confession: he had shot his mother. The caller was identified as Patsy's son, Randy Gilliland, a 64-year-old former Hampton City Councilman.
When officers arrived at the residence in the first block of Capps Quarters, they
discovered a somber scene. Both Patsy Palmer Gilliland and her son, Randy, were found deceased from apparent gunshot wounds. The evidence at the scene suggested that after making the call to the police, Randy Gilliland took his own life before authorities could arrive. The Hampton Police Division's Major Crimes Unit is investigating the case as an apparent murder-suicide. Police have stated that there is no ongoing threat to the community.
In the wake of the incident, a motive began to surface through a Facebook post made by Randy Gilliland on the morning of the murder-suicide. In the post, he wrote about the difficulties he was facing with his own health problems and his mother's battle with Alzheimer's disease. His message conveyed a sense of despair, stating, 'I'm tired. I'm done. I'm checking out. Love you all, goodbye.' Randy Gilliland had served on the Hampton City Council from 2002 to 2010, including a period of two years as vice mayor. At the time of his death, he was the director of philanthropy at Equal Justice America.
