In the winter of 2022, a tragedy unfolded in Des Moines, Iowa, forever altering the lives of a local family. Twenty-year-old Emma Parker, a Caucasian female, was killed on December 19, 2022, in a violent act that also claimed the life of her mother. The young woman, a 2020 graduate of Urbandale High School, was known for her easy-going, creative, and artistic nature.
She was a hardworking employee at a local Hy-Vee Starbucks with aspirations of attending cosmetology school.
The heartbreaking event occurred in the early morning hours when police were called to a home on 53rd Street. Inside, they discovered the bodies of Emma and her 47-year-old mother, Danielle Remily. Both had been shot to death. The investigation quickly pointed to Emma's 22-year-old ex-boyfriend, Jason Rothman, as the perpetrator. It is believed that Rothman forced his way into their home and shot both women.
Following the murders, Rothman fled to nearby Riley Park. Shortly after, he contacted the police, confessing to the killings and stating his intention to take his own life. When officers arrived at the park, they found Rothman with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital in critical condition and died from his injuries a few days later. Authorities believe the firearm found with Rothman was the same weapon used to kill Emma and her mother. The incident was classified as a murder-suicide, and with the death of the sole suspect, the investigation was concluded.
