Cheryl Hanoian, 78, female, was found dead inside her Fowler, California home on October 15, 2025, alongside her 60-year-old son, James Kelley McFarland. Investigators and local reports identify the incident as a murder-suicide discovered after first responders were called to a residence on the 600 block of Citrus Avenue around 6:30 p.m. that evening. When officers could not make contact, they ultimately entered and found both individuals deceased from gunshot wounds, along with multiple dead dogs inside the home.
Authorities publicly identified the decedents the following day and outlined the sequence that led up to the discovery. A 911 caller reported that McFarland had threatened to shoot his mother and his dogs; after a perimeter was set and attempts to reach anyone inside failed, officials deployed a drone to help clear and enter the residence, where the bodies and animals were located. Nearby homes were temporarily evacuated as a precaution while the scene was secured.
Detectives believe McFarland shot Hanoian and the dogs before turning the gun on himself. Family members requested privacy, and investigators noted that McFarland had recently moved back into his mother’s house after living out of state. With the suspected shooter deceased, authorities have announced no arrests and have not sought additional suspects. The case remains classified by the sheriff’s office as a murder-suicide.
