In the late summer of 2020, the small community of Fairland, Oklahoma, was shaken by the tragic death of Alicia Williams. A 50-year-old female, Alicia was known as a dedicated healthcare worker, having built a career she loved as a surgical tech in the OB department at Mercy Hospital Joplin, where she found joy in helping deliver babies. Her life revolved around her family; she was a wife and a mother to her son and two daughters, often working the night shift to be with them during the day.
On the evening of Wednesday, September 2, 2020, law enforcement was called to Alicia's home near East Highway 60. Upon arrival, they discovered her in a recliner, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the chest. The Ottawa County Sheriff's Office requested the assistance of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to delve into the circumstances surrounding her death.
The investigation soon led to a surprising development. A 12-year-old girl, who was a relative of Alicia and had been the one to report the incident, was taken into custody. While the girl was considered a suspect, investigators also noted that the shooting may have been accidental. The case was turned over to the OSBI, and Alicia's husband was questioned and subsequently released. As the investigation continued, the community was left to mourn the sudden and heartbreaking loss of a woman remembered for her commitment to her family and her profession.
