On June 30, 2019, in Kenai, Alaska, 60-year-old Rachelle Armstrong and her 39-year-old daughter, Lisa Rutzebeck, were found deceased in their home, victims of a shooting. The Kenai Police Department responded to reports of gunfire early that morning and discovered the two women inside the residence.
The investigation led to the arrest of 25-year-old Masonn Byrd, a Kenai resident, who was charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
Preliminary findings suggested that Byrd had shot both Armstrong and Rutzebeck. Court records revealed Byrd's prior encounters with the law, including a 2016 attempted murder charge that was dismissed as part of a plea deal, resulting in convictions for weapons charges and assault.
Authorities conducted a search of the Kenai River with assistance from a Nikiski dive team and recovered a handgun believed to be connected to the homicides. The firearm was sent to the state crime lab for analysis. Investigators suspected that the motive for the killings might have been related to a drug deal, as text messages on Armstrong's cellphone indicated communications with Byrd concerning drug transactions and debts.
Byrd denied involvement in the shootings. However, his grandfather informed authorities that Byrd had confessed to the killings and mentioned plans to dispose of the weapon in the river. The case highlighted the tragic consequences of violent crime and underscored the importance of thorough investigative efforts in seeking justice for the victims.
