On a tragic Easter Sunday in 2018, the life of 20-year-old Nichol 'Nikki' Widger was cut short in a devastating act of violence in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The young woman, who had special needs, was fatally shot by her own father in a heart-wrenching murder-suicide that also claimed the life of her mother.
The events of that evening unfolded after Nikki and her mother, Melisa Widger, returned to the family's home.
Marital tensions had been escalating, leading Melisa and Nikki to move out two months prior. They had come back to the house at the request of Nikki's younger brother, who was concerned about their father, 45-year-old Eric Widger Sr. An argument erupted between the parents, during which Melisa expressed her desire for a divorce.
In a sudden and horrific turn, Eric Widger Sr. armed himself and opened fire on his family. He fatally shot his 42-year-old wife and their daughter, Nikki. Their 18-year-old son was also shot but managed to escape to a neighbor's house and call for help. The son's girlfriend, who was also present, was able to leave unharmed.
After the shootings, Eric Widger Sr. contacted a relative and confessed to killing his wife and daughter before taking his own life. When law enforcement arrived at the scene, they found the bodies of Eric, Melisa, and Nichol Widger. The investigation concluded that Eric Widger Sr. was the sole suspect in the deaths of his wife and daughter.
