Audrea Starr Craig, a 34-year-old mother of five from Lincoln, Nebraska, tragically lost her life on July 24, 2019, in a shooting incident at her southeast Lincoln home. Born on July 22, 1985, to Shane and Susan Craig in Grand Island, Nebraska, Audrea was known for her passion for art, music, and her dedication to her children.
The incident occurred just before 4 am when gunshots were reported at Craig's residence.
Lincoln Police officers arrived at the scene to find Audrea shot to death. At the time of the shooting, six children between the ages of 6 and 16 were present in the home. Audrea leaves behind her five children: Isaiah, Taizah, Makiah, Karizma, and Zy Aziah.
Prior to her death, Audrea had experienced break-ins at her home. According to a close friend, two men had broken into her house twice in the week leading up to the shooting, once in the early evening while her children were present and again the following afternoon. In response to these incidents, security cameras had been installed at the home for extra protection.
The Lincoln Police Department, along with the Lancaster County Sheriff's Office, conducted an extensive investigation at the scene, searching for forensic and digital evidence and interviewing witnesses. Initially, the police were investigating whether the homicide was an act of targeted violence.
Audrea Craig is survived by her mother, her five children, her grandfather Deloit Craig, brothers Ryan Pirnie and Tyler Craig, as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. She was preceded in death by her father, both maternal grandparents, and her paternal grandmother.
In a development related to the case, it was later reported that two individuals who had been accused in connection with home invasion killings pleaded to reduced charges. These individuals had previously been charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of 34-year-old Audrea Craig and 26-year-old Martae Green in July 2019.
