A shocking murder-suicide in Byron, Wyoming, has left a small community devastated. 32-year-old Tranyelle Harshman took the lives of three of her daughters before turning the gun on herself, leaving her seven-year-old daughter, Olivia, in critical condition.
According to the Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office, Harshman shot her four children—two-year-old twins, a seven-year-old, and a nine-year-old—inside their home on Monday before attempting to take her own life
911 Call Revealed Mother’s Intentions
Authorities were alerted to the tragic scene after a chilling 911 call from a woman, believed to be Harshman. During the call, she reported that her daughters had been shot, and expressed her belief that they were dead.
According to law enforcement, the caller stated she was in an upstairs bedroom and planned to take her own life.
“The dispatcher pleaded with the female caller to remain on the line until responding units arrived,” the sheriff’s office reported.
However, Harshman repeatedly refused, saying it was “too late.” The call then disconnected.
Officers Arrive to a Tragic Scene
When police arrived minutes later, they discovered an unspeakable tragedy.
- Two of the children, a nine-year-old named Brailey and one of the two-year-old twins, had already died from gunshot wounds to the head.
- The second two-year-old twin and Olivia, the seven-year-old, were still alive but critically injured.
- Harshman was found in an upstairs bedroom with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
Emergency responders rushed both Harshman and Olivia to a nearby hospital. Shortly after, Harshman succumbed to her injuries, followed by the second two-year-old twin, leaving Olivia as the sole survivor.
Mental Health Struggles Behind the Tragedy
Following the murder-suicide, friends and family members revealed that Harshman had been struggling with mental health issues, including postpartum depression.
Briana Baker, a friend, expressed her heartbreak:
“You never know what someone is struggling with inside their mind. Tranyelle was not the monster this tragedy makes her seem to be. Her children were her main focus in life.”
Former classmate Sage Miears added:
“If she was really battling postpartum depression, that’s a serious thing. People needed to be there for her.”
Byron Mayor Allen Clark acknowledged the profound impact on the small town:
“When you’re in a small community like this, everyone rubs shoulders with everyone. It’s just devastating. I just hope and pray that the family can endure and find brighter days ahead.”
Families Seek Support as They Mourn
Harshman leaves behind her husband, Cliff Harshman, the father of the two youngest daughters, and her ex-husband, Quinn Blackmer, the father of Brailey and Olivia.
In the wake of this tragedy, two separate GoFundMe pages have been set up to support the grieving fathers.
Olivia remains in intensive care, fighting for her life with a severe traumatic brain injury. Doctors say the next few days are crucial for her survival.
“We know Brailey is watching over her baby sister from the other side, helping her fight for her life!” the GoFundMe states.
A Community United in Grief
As Byron, Wyoming, struggles to process this heartbreaking tragedy, the focus remains on supporting Olivia’s recovery and helping the families cope.
This devastating event has also sparked discussions about the importance of mental health awareness and postpartum depression treatment.
With Olivia still fighting, the community is coming together, holding onto hope for the young girl’s survival.
