7-year-old girl fighting for her life in Utah after tragic murder-suicide in Wyoming

SALT LAKE CITY — A 7-year-old girl, Olivia, is fighting for her life in Utah after she survived a tragic shooting that left her three sisters and mother dead in Wyoming on Monday.

The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office says around 1:30 p.m. Monday, the girls’ mother made a 911 phone call reporting gunshots inside her home, saying her daughters had been shot. According to the sheriff’s office, the mother told dispatch where the girls could be found inside the home before saying “she was going to do the same to herself.”

“The dispatcher pleaded with the female caller over the phone for (her) to remain on the line until responding units arrived,” the sheriff’s office said. “The female caller stated multiple times that she could not do that and that it was too late.”

Deputies and first responders were immediately dispatched to the home, and rapidly made entry once they got there. Officers cleared the entire residence and found two girls, 2 and 9 years old, who had already died from their apparent gunshot wounds. Olivia was found alive, along with her other 2-year-old sister, but both were suffering from gunshot wounds to the head.

A ‘custody battle’

Goulding, brother-in-law to the two oldest girls’ biological father Quinn Blackmer, said Brailey, 9, and Olivia were with their mother in Wyoming at the time. But Goulding said they also lived with Blackmer and their stepmother in American Fork.

The two toddlers who died were the girls’ half-sisters.

“He’s been in a custody battle the entire time, trying to get gainful custody,” Goulding said. “Him and my sister have a child of their own.”

Goulding said they were mourning for Brailey, visiting Olivia in the hospital, and trying to seek financial support for her family.

“They’re getting hit with so many different financial burdens, from the life-flight to what rehab’s going to look like if and when Olivia comes to,” Goulding stated.

On Thursday, Blackmer and his wife, Katelynn, issued a statement:

We want to thank everyone for all their kind thoughts, requests for updates on Olivia, support, donations and prayers for our family during this time. What we are going through is unimaginable and indescribable. It has been excruciatingly challenging trying to manage the emotions of grieving the loss of one child, while being there to support the other child who’s fighting for her life.

We kindly ask for some space and privacy for us, our extended family and our friend circle, to navigate this difficult time.

Please refer to the *GoFundMe page for updates on Olivia. If you’re feeling so inclined and have the means to donate we greatly appreciate it. Please keep in mind there is also another Father grieving the loss of his wife and daughters at this time as well. He also has a *GoFundMe.

Thank you again. We have felt an overwhelming amount of love and support during this hardship.

Investigation
The Big Horn County Sheriff’s Office said the investigation remains ongoing. It further thanked all teams who helped the family, saying the nightmare those brave first responders witnessed is something no one should have to endure.

“Wherever you are in the great state or country, please take a moment to thank and support all first responders,” the sheriff’s office said.

Olivia’s family is also trying to come to terms with what happened.

“I sat with Olivia (Tuesday) in the ICU and just watching her chest go up and down killed me because I’ve got kids of my own,” Goulding said. “They’re so innocent and they don’t deserve that.”

 

---

*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

---

Suicide prevention resources

If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or exhibiting warning signs, call, text, or chat the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 which is answered 24/7/365 by crisis counselors at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute. All calls to legacy crisis hotlines, including the old National Suicide Prevention hotline, 1-800-273-8255, will also connect to a crisis care worker at the Huntsman Mental Health Institute as well.

Additional resources

• SafeUT: Parents, students, and educators can connect with a licensed crisis counselor through chat by downloading the SafeUT app or by calling 833-3SAFEUT (833-372-3388)
• SafeUT Frontline: First responders, including firefighters, law enforcement, EMS, and healthcare professionals can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading theSafeUT Frontline app.
• SafeUTNG: Members of the National Guard can chat with a licensed crisis counselor at no cost 24/7/365 by downloading the SafeUTNG app.
• Utah Warm Line: For non-crisis situations, when you need a listening ear as you heal and recover from a personal struggle, call 1-833 SPEAKUT 8:00 a.m.-11:00 p.m., 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
• The Huntsman Mental Health Institute offers a wide variety of programs and services including suicide prevention and crisis services, hospital treatment, therapy & medication management, substance Use & addiction recovery, child & teen programs, and maternal mental health services including birth trauma, pregnancy loss, infertility, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
• LiveOnUtah.org is a statewide effort to prevent suicide by promoting education, providing resources, and changing Utah’s culture around suicide and mental health. They offer resources for faith based groups, LGBTQ+, youth, employers, firearm suicide prevention, and crisis and treatment options.

Counties in Utah provide services for mental health and substance use disorders. Centers are run by the thirteen Local Mental Health and Substance Use Authorities all across the state and offer therapy, substance use disorder treatment, support groups, mobile services, youth treatment, and more.

These resources and more information can be found here: https://www.uacnet.org/behavioralhealth.

Other community-based resources

• NAMI Utah provides education, support and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by mental illness.
• American Foundation for Suicide Prevention offers prevention programs, public education, support for loss survivors, and fundraising for research.
• Encircle Utah: LGBTQ+ family and youth resource center.
• Utah Pride Center empowers Utah’s diverse LGBTQ+ community.
• The Trevor Project: LGBTQ teen resource center.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Mental Health
• Latino Behavioral Health Services
• Center for Workplace Mental Health offers suicide prevention and response for employers.