In the small town of Delmar, Iowa, the new year began with a tragic event that claimed the life of 10-year-old Michelle Lee Roling, a White female. On January 1, 1981, Michelle was found deceased from gun violence inside a residence. The devastating incident also resulted in the deaths of her mother, Bonita Lou “Bonnie” Eganhouse Gilbert, who was 34 years old, her 13-year-old sister Dawn Marie Roling, her 8-year-old brother Jason Edward Roling, and her 2-year-old half-brother, Gene Galeon
Gilbert Jr.
The scene of the tragedy was the home of Gene Gilbert, who was identified as the children's stepfather and Bonita's husband. Authorities reported that it appeared Gene Gilbert had taken the lives of his wife, stepchildren, and his own son before taking his own life. This act of violence left the community in shock and mourning the loss of an entire family.
At the time of the incident, law enforcement concluded that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide orchestrated by Gene Gilbert. Consequently, with the perpetrator also being deceased, there were no arrests made in connection with the deaths of Michelle Lee Roling and her family members. The case was closed with the determination that the person responsible had died at the scene.
