In the quiet community of Puyallup, Washington, the life of 46-year-old Hispanic female, Teresa Ryan, was tragically cut short on January 18, 2016. A vibrant woman known for her quick wit and loyalty, she was a beloved figure both in her workplace at the Pierce County District Court and within her circle of friends and family. Her life, however, came to a violent end in an act that stunned the community and left a family shattered.
The perpetrator was 19-year-old Austin Moores Nelson,
the ex-boyfriend of Ryan's teenage daughter. The relationship had been a source of concern for Ryan, who had instructed Nelson to stay away from her 15-year-old daughter. The tumultuous relationship ended just days before the fatal shooting, a breakup that authorities believe fueled Nelson's subsequent actions. In the weeks leading up to the murder, Nelson had reportedly broken into the Ryan family's home, stolen firearms, vandalized the daughter's car, and posted explicit images of her online.
On that fateful Monday morning, as Teresa Ryan was returning home with her 5-year-old daughter, Nelson confronted her in the driveway. In a horrifying turn of events, witnessed by her young child who was in the backseat of the car, Nelson shot Ryan multiple times. After the shooting, Nelson forced his way into the house and fatally shot the family's dog. The younger daughter, physically unharmed, ran to a neighbor's house for help.
Austin Moores Nelson was arrested later that day at his grandfather's home in Tacoma. He initially pleaded not guilty to charges of first-degree murder, first-degree burglary, and first-degree animal cruelty. However, he later pleaded guilty to the charges. In September 2016, a judge sentenced Nelson to more than 42 years in prison. During the sentencing, Nelson's defense attorney noted that his client had come to understand the gravity of his actions and expressed deep remorse. The tragic event led to a lawsuit filed by Ryan's family against Pierce County, alleging that the Sheriff's Department had not done enough to investigate Nelson's escalating criminal behavior prior to the murder.
