On a tragic day in Decatur, Michigan, 34-year-old Tara Phillips lost her life in what police have described as a murder-suicide. On January 27, 2023, law enforcement responded to a residence on 82nd Avenue after receiving two alarming 911 calls. One call came from a relative of Phillips, who had been forewarned by Tara of the imminent danger. The other call was chillingly made by Wayne Westphal, her 49-year-old ex-boyfriend, who informed dispatchers of the murder-suicide he was about to commit.
Upon their forced entry into the home, troopers discovered the bodies of both Phillips and Westphal on the kitchen floor, each with an apparent gunshot wound. A firearm was found underneath Westphal's body. The investigation that followed revealed a troubled history between the former couple, who had previously lived together. A valid no-contact order was on file to protect Phillips from Westphal, and detectives confirmed a history of domestic violence. It remained unclear to investigators whether Phillips was still residing at the home or merely visiting at the time of her death.
The incident left the community in mourning for Tara, a mother of three with another child on the way. Her obituary remembers her as a woman who loved the outdoors, enjoying activities like kayaking, fishing, and riding four-wheelers. She was described as someone who loved to sing, dance, and be silly, and who cherished taking pictures of her family and the sunsets. Ultimately, the investigation concluded that Westphal shot and killed Phillips before turning the gun on himself. The case was pending autopsy and toxicology results.
