On the afternoon of August 13, 2016, authorities in Lafayette, Indiana, initiated an investigation following a grim discovery at a residence on the city's south side. Police officers were dispatched to a home located in the 3200 block of Chaucer Drive around 2:15 p.m. after receiving a request for a welfare check. Upon entering the property, investigators found the bodies of two adults.
The deceased were identified as 35-year-old Monica Rhine, a female resident of Lafayette, and 46-year-old Raymond Hastings, also of Lafayette.
Detectives and crime scene investigators determined that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide. Autopsies conducted by the Tippecanoe County Coroner's Office confirmed the manner of death for both individuals. The investigation revealed that Hastings had killed Rhine before taking his own life. Due to the death of the perpetrator at the scene, there were no arrests made, nor were there any subsequent criminal trials or convictions related to the incident. The case was closed following the coroner's findings and the police determination that no other suspects were involved.
At the time of her death, Rhine was a well-regarded General Manager at a local Cracker Barrel restaurant, where she had worked for several years. She was remembered by friends and colleagues for her strong work ethic and vibrant personality. She left behind a husband and children. The tragedy marked a sudden and violent end to her life, with the investigation concluding that Hastings was solely responsible for the fatal event.
