In the quiet community of Wrightsville, Pennsylvania, the life of 81-year-old Grace L. Kinard came to a tragic end on Saturday, April 8, 2023. On that day, authorities were called to a home in the 6600 block of Sunrise Avenue in Hellam Township, where they made a grim discovery. Grace was found inside the residence, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her chest and neck.
Her death was officially ruled a homicide.
Outside the home, law enforcement found her 85-year-old husband, Ronald Kinard, deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Investigators concluded that Ronald had shot and killed his wife before taking his own life. The coroner's office determined that the couple had been deceased for several hours before their bodies were discovered. While no note was left behind to explain the devastating turn of events, police believe that Grace's deteriorating health and her husband's perceived inability to care for her may have been contributing factors in the murder-suicide.
Grace was born in Hellam Township on January 6, 1942. She and Ronald had been married since July 26, 1958, and were members of the Mount Pisgah Trinity United Methodist Church, where she was active in the choir and served as the church sexton. In her community, Grace was also known for providing residential cleaning services. She was a mother to three children and a grandmother and great-grandmother. Those who knew her recall her enjoyment of knitting, cooking, and baking. As the investigation concluded with the identification of her husband as the perpetrator, who was also deceased, no arrests were made in connection with her death.
