On February 9, 2023, in Frost, Texas, 12-year-old twin sisters Heaven and Nevaeh Sadler were tragically killed in a murder-suicide perpetrated by their father, Larry Thompson. The Navarro County Sheriff's Office responded to a welfare check at the family's residence after Thompson's wife reported a domestic dispute earlier that day. She had left the home with her children, leaving Thompson and his twin daughters behind. Upon her return, she heard a gunshot and immediately contacted authorities.
When deputies arrived, they learned that Thompson was armed and had previously expressed intentions of violence toward his family and law enforcement if anyone attempted to take his children away. Thompson's mother, who was present at the scene, had just spoken with him and the girls in an effort to calm the situation. Shortly after she exited the residence, deputies heard two gunshots from inside. The situation was then escalated to a hostage scenario, prompting the deployment of the SWAT team and crisis negotiators. After numerous unsuccessful attempts to establish contact, a tactical robot was used to enter the home, where the bodies of Thompson and his twin daughters were discovered.
Family members remember Heaven and Nevaeh as inseparable and full of life, with a shared love for fishing and water activities. Their mother, April Sadler, expressed profound grief over the loss of her daughters, stating, "I mean, those were my babies. I miss them. I love them." The twins' grandmother, Virdle Sadler-Nance, described them as "precious kids" who were always affectionate. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist with funeral expenses, reflecting the community's support during this tragic time.
The Texas Rangers, in collaboration with the Navarro County Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigation Division, are conducting a thorough investigation into the incident. Authorities have noted that Thompson had previously made statements indicating potential violence toward his family and law enforcement if there were attempts to separate him from his children. This tragic event has left the community in mourning, as they come to terms with the loss of two young lives under such heartbreaking circumstances.
