Man Who Allegedly Killed Wife, 3 Kids in May Was Recently Charged After Suicide Attempt
Mar. 15, 2025Dawn Gillard, Katelynn Gillard, Ronald Gillard and Joshua Gillard.Photo: GoFundMe
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A 51-year-old Michigan man who has been hospitalized for weeks following a suicide attempt has been charged with murder in connection with the May deaths of his wife and three children.
Online records confirm that Charles Robert Gillard, Sr., was transferred into the custody of the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Office on June 28 — more than a month after authorities allege he killed his entire family.
After he allegedly shot his wife, 40-year-old Dawn Gillard, and their three kids — Katelynn, 6, Ronald, 4, and 3-year-old Joshua — the father turned the gun on himself, according to police.
The station, citing police, reports that other children of Dawn’s from a previous relationship were unharmed in the attack.
Court records confirm that Gillard has been charged with three counts of felony murder, to which he’s yet to enter pleas.
Relatives who spoke toWZZMlast month said Dawn had been the victim of domestic violence prior to her death.
“In situations like this, I don’t think it’s a bad thing to seek out therapy, seek out counseling” said Randy Myers, Dawn’s cousin. “There’s a lot of people in this world that do still care and you have to give them a chance to know what you’re going through for them to be able to help.”
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A GoFundMe campaignis still collecting donations to cover the funeral costs for the four victims and to raise money for Dawn’s other children.
“She didn’t deserve this,” added Myers. “It’s a situation I hope we never become desensitized from.”
If you are experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233, or go tothehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
source: people.com
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