In the quiet city of Saint George, Utah, the life of 67-year-old Shandra Lee Brownstein came to a tragic end on May 9, 2019. Known affectionately by many names including Sandy, Sandra, and Giggles, she was a woman remembered for her resilience and the joy she brought to those around her. A loving mother, award-winning poet, and comedian, she had overcome many obstacles in her life and considered the success of her children her greatest accomplishment.
On that Thursday in May, however, a welfare check at her apartment, prompted by missed appointments and unpaid rent, revealed a grim scene. Inside, authorities discovered the bodies of Shandra and her 68-year-old brother, Stanley Thomas McCausland, with whom she shared the home. Investigators believe they may have been deceased for as long as a week before being found. The property manager had entered the residence after an eviction notice had been placed on the door and Stanley's home care provider had been unable to reach him, which was unusual.
The investigation into the deaths of the siblings quickly pointed towards a murder-suicide. Authorities believe that Stanley shot his sister and her dog before turning the gun on himself. Shandra was found in her bed, and her brother was discovered lying on a shotgun. Investigators recovered four shotgun shell casings and a Mossberg 870 shotgun from the apartment. Despite the presence of neighbors in the surrounding apartments, no one reported hearing any gunshots.
Both Shandra and her brother had been dealing with health problems. In fact, Shandra had been in the process of arranging a move to a care center due to her health issues. It was her missed appointment with a representative from the care center that ultimately led to the discovery of the tragic events that had unfolded inside the apartment. While the police suspect Stanley McCausland as the perpetrator in the murder-suicide, no note was found at the scene to offer a definitive explanation for his actions.
