In the late afternoon of August 20, 2014, the life of 20-year-old Katelyn Rose McFadden was tragically cut short in Townshend, Vermont. A beautiful young woman known for a bright smile that could light up a room, Katelyn was the victim of a violent act that ended in a murder-suicide. Born in Brattleboro, she had attended local schools and was working towards her high school diploma.
Katelyn was described as having an untamable spirit and a warm heart, with a love for family gatherings, animals, and sports like volleyball and basketball.
The events of that Wednesday unfolded when state police received a 911 call from 26-year-old Shane Brodeur, who was at a house on Grafton Road and requested help. During the call, the dispatcher heard what sounded like gunshots before the line went dead. When troopers arrived at the scene, they discovered a grim tableau. Brodeur was found deceased outside the residence from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Inside the house, they found Katelyn with a gunshot wound to her head and neck. She was still alive and was airlifted to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire, for emergency treatment. Despite the efforts of medical personnel, Katelyn succumbed to her injuries and passed away at the hospital.
The subsequent investigation by the Vermont State Police determined that Brodeur had shot McFadden before taking his own life. No other suspects were sought in connection with the incident. Katelyn's death was a profound loss to her family, including her parents, siblings, and many other relatives, who remembered her as a loving person who would be held close in their hearts forever.
