In the late summer of 2020, a tragedy unfolded within a home in Iowa City, forever altering the lives of a local family. On September 15th, concerned family members of 45-year-old Latoya Patrice Smith grew worried when they could not reach her. Their concern led them to her residence, where a grim sight through a window prompted a call to emergency services.
Upon their arrival at the home that evening, police discovered a heartbreaking scene.
Inside, Latoya was found deceased on the bathroom floor. Also found in the home was the body of 49-year-old Floyd Lowell Rush, the man she lived with. Investigators determined that the deaths had occurred several hours earlier, between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. that day.
The subsequent police investigation revealed a murder-suicide had taken place. It was determined that Rush had shot Latoya multiple times before turning the handgun on himself. A single handgun was recovered at the scene, and authorities confirmed that no other individuals were involved in the incident. The investigation concluded that Floyd Rush was the sole person responsible for Latoya's death. She is survived by her four adult children.
