173 empty bottles, text messages, and an iPad on the floor.

On March 9th, 2026, 55-year-old Gretchen Ryan called 911 to report that she had found her 16-year-old daughter Grace unresponsive on the bathroom floor.

First responders arrived and Grace Ryan was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Investigators found empty bottles of alcohol hidden throughout the teenage girl’s room.

At first her mother claimed she didn’t know if her daughter had been “getting into her stuff” but an investigation revealed something more sinister than anyone could have imagined.

If you or someone you know is suffering from substance abuse, there is help available. In the US, resources are available by calling 1-800-662-4357 or visiting SAMHSA - Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

SOURCES:

Woman Charged with Murder Following Death of Her 16-Year-Old Daughter - Colorado First Judicial District Attorney's Office

https://www.foxnews.com/us/colorado-mom-allegedly-bought-alcohol-daily-16-year-old-daughter-found-dead-173-empty-bottles

‘I’m killing you’: Docs show mom feared jail before teen’s alcohol‑related death

Mom charged with murder of daughter, 16, who drank herself to death

https://www.denverpost.com/2026/06/03/colorado-mom-charged-murder-teen-alcohol-death/

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An allegation, a double murder, and a gold chain necklace.

In April of 2022 concerned family members requested a welfare check at the home of 35-year-old Raechyl Blackshear.

Weeks earlier Raechyl had brought her 14-year-old daughter, Jayla to the Anchorage Police Department. Jayla told officials she had been sexually assaulted by a male family member.

When the family began receiving text messages from Raechyl and Jayla but couldn’t reach them by phone, alarm bells started ringing. But no one could have imagined the true horror that had unfolded at their home in Northeast Anchorage.

RESOURCES:

• National Domestic Violence Hotline (24/7) (800) 799-7233
• National Human Trafficking Hotline (888) 373-7888
• National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN) (800) 656-HOPE (4673)
• RAINN: Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
• NSVRC: National Sexual Violence Resource Center
• National Sexual Abuse Hotline 1-800-656-HOPE 1-800-656-4673

SOURCES:

United States v. Blackshear, 1:22-mj-00451 – CourtListener.com

Raechyl Blackshear, a devoted mother, struggled in secret. Her family hopes the murders of her and her daughter focus attention on domestic and sexual abuse. - Anchorage Daily News

Jalonni Blackshear PLEADS GUILTY TO THE MURDER OF HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER — Anchorage Police Department

Former Alaska corrections officer gets 150 years for killing wife, daughter

Jalonni Blackshear Sentenced To 150 Years for the Murders of His Wife and Daughter — Anchorage Police Department

Man arrested in connection with killing of Anchorage mother and daughter also faces charges of child sex abuse - Anchorage Daily News

Press Release - Jalonni Blackshear Pleads Guilty to the Murder of his Wife and Daughter

Raechyl Blackshear case: Elk Grove parents mourn daughter | abc10.com

Alaska Blackshear Killings: Suspect Arrested in New York City – NBC New York

The second degree murder case against Aaron Spencer has been dismissed. Here’s my complete coverage of the case, with the update at the end.

You can skip to around 38 minutes for update.

SOURCES:

Interview with Erin Cassinelli and Aaron Spencer - Arkansas Democrat Gazette

https://youtu.be/YFtfVVzZk6M

Judge dismisses criminal charges against Aaron Spencer, the dad who killed daughter’s alleged molester (UPDATED) - Arkansas Times

SPENCER v. STATE OF ARKANSAS :: 2025Justia Lawhttps://law.justia.com › cases › arkansas › supreme-court

43cr-24-551: state of arkansas v aaron spencerArkansas Judiciary (.gov)https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov › opad › case

cr-26-38: aaron spencer v state of arkansasArkansas Judiciary (.gov)https://caseinfo.arcourts.gov › opad › case

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