On February 15, 2022, police in South Bend, Indiana, were summoned to a residence on Laurel Road following a distressing report regarding a potential injury. The investigation was initiated after the daughters of 63-year-old Rebecca Powell became concerned for the safety of her boyfriend, Geoff Delusignan. Earlier that day, the 66-year-old male victim had contacted one of Powell's daughters, expressing alarm over Powell’s deteriorating mental state.
He reportedly told the daughter that Powell was accusing him of killing her nephew and had threatened to shoot him. This claim was particularly alarming and confusing to the family, as Powell’s only nephew had passed away years earlier from an accidental choking, indicating she was likely suffering from a severe psychotic episode.
Upon receiving the call, one of the daughters went to the home to check on the couple. Inside, she made a grim discovery, spotting what she believed to be Delusignan’s legs protruding from behind a piece of furniture. Terrified by the sight and aware of her mother’s history of mental health struggles, she immediately retreated and contacted her sister, who then alerted law enforcement. When officers arrived at the scene, Powell answered the door. As the door opened, police observed a man lying on the floor inside, partially covered by a blanket and surrounded by blood. Paramedics pronounced Delusignan dead at the scene, noting that he appeared to have suffered fatal gunshot wounds.
During the initial encounter, Powell allegedly made several incriminating and delusional statements to the officers. Glancing toward the victim's body, she reportedly remarked that he had killed her nephew. She was subsequently placed in restraints and transported to the St. Joseph County Detective Bureau. While in custody, and without being questioned, she allegedly asked the officers if she had 'got him good' and stated that she believed she had done the 'right thing.' A search warrant executed at the home later revealed multiple firearms and at least one shell casing. Rebecca Powell was arrested and formally charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of Geoff Delusignan.
