On July ninth, 2014 the Stays were ambushed and murdered in their home by an unknown assailant. The killer broke in and tied up the seven-member family before shooting them execution style in the back of the head.

But hope wasn’t lost. One member, 15-year old Cassidy, survived the gun shot and was able to play dead long enough to call the police. She later identified the shooter as the ex-husband of her mother’s sister; Ronald Haskill. It is now widely believed that the Stays were murdered as the result of a domestic dispute.

A funeral was held later for Stephan and Katie Stray and their four dead children. Bryan, Emily, Rebecca and Zach. Aged 13, 9, 7, and 4. NBC news quoted Cassidy Stray as stating that her family is “in a much better place” and that she’ll be able to see them again one day. A fundraiser on the site Gofundme.com has brought in more than $307,000 from nearly 5,800 donors to help.

Ronald Haskill was apprehended shortly after and tried for the murder of the Stays. During his questioning, he collapsed twice, his face appearing to loose blood. The attorney appointed to represent Haskill says he will be focusing on Haskills mental condition, and was quoted by the Huffington Post as saying: “I think the evidence is going to show … he is a troubled individual and he has a history of mental illness,” Durham said.

“Unfortunately, the delivery of the health care has failed in this system.”