In addition to the reflections of a devastated mother whose two-year-old died, a loved one has spoken out about the tragedy and organized a GoFundMe to support their family.
A tragic incident occurred on May 5, 2025, that left the community of Keithville reeling with shock and sorrow. Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies found four people dead from gunshot wounds just before 7 a.m. in a home on Mustang Circle, including two-year-old Adalynn Mae Sadler. Reportedly, the house she was found in belonged to her grandparents.
As the devastating news made its rounds across the public, the heartbroken mother of Adalynn stepped forward to share the anguish that now envelops her world.
Speaking to KSLA News 12 alongside her cousin, Morgan McCarty, just days after the tragedy, Kara Hanning opened up about the unimaginable pain of losing her daughter — and the complex emotions she harbors toward the man responsible.
On the morning of May 5, Kara was at work when concerned messages from friends began to flood in. Rumors of an incident on Mustang Circle — the location of Adalynn’s grandparents’ home — quickly circulated.
In a frantic and confused state, Kara reached out to Adalynn’s babysitter, only to discover she hadn’t been dropped off yet. Calls to Adalynn’s father, James Sadler, 29, and texts to both grandparents, Leroy Sadler, 60, and Judy Sadler, 64, went unanswered.
As panic took hold, Kara checked Facebook and recognized the familiar home and James’ work truck in pictures. She raced to the house, only to be met by detectives, whom she asked about her child. Their solemn faces told her everything she feared most.
“They just looked at me with the most [sic] saddest expression and I lost it, I did,” she recalled. “I don’t think anybody would want to lose their baby like that.”
Authorities confirmed that Adalynn, James, Leroy, and Judy lost their lives as a result of a murder-suicide. For Kara, the shock remains incomprehensible.
She described her daughter as sweet and sassy — a spirited toddler who adored the outdoors, bubbles, and playing in water, and whose favorite word was a defiant “no.”
Still, amid her grief, Kara has chosen compassion over hatred. Reflecting on the possible emotional turmoil Adalynn’s grandfather may have been experiencing, she divulged how much Leroy loved Adalynn and expressed her inability to grasp what could have led to the tragedy taking place.
“I feel terrible because I wish he would’ve asked for help for whatever he was going through, and I dunno what pain he must’ve been going through,” Kara said.
She also acknowledged that Leroy had recently lost his stepdaughter, Jody, to cancer, and his wife, Judy, had been battling illness — circumstances she believes may have compounded the strain on the family.
Yet, even in the face of devastating loss, Kara clings to grace. “I can’t hate him. I will never be able to hate him. I forgive him for his actions. I wish it never happened, but I have no hate in my heart for that man,” she shared.
Through her sorrow, Kara now urges others to reach out to loved ones and express their care — a plea rooted in hope that no other family should endure such heartbreak. She also thanked everyone who has shown her love and support during this difficult time.
Divulging her perspective on the tragedy, Morgan spoke about how she immediately rushed to Kara’s side as soon as she heard the news, and has been assisting with administrative issues to help her cousin.
Speaking about the matter further, Morgan noted, “It’s been a nightmare, but we’re all together and we’re all trying to be as supportive as possible. Kara has been so incredibly strong.” Like Kara, Morgan does not wish for anyone to be vilified in this tragic story. Instead, she hopes telling the story will help shed light on the mental health aspect to potentially assist others who may be struggling.
As the details surrounding the incident emerged, they painted a chilling picture of the final moments before the tragedy unfolded. The Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to a residence in the 10000 block of Mustang Circle off Stage Coach Road at approximately 6:45 a.m. on May 5, responding to a welfare concern.
Located in a quiet neighborhood off Mansfield Road, the home quickly became the epicenter of a devastating and disturbing scene. Upon arrival, the suspect refused to communicate with deputies. Minutes later, a single gunshot rang out from within the home.
The sudden report prompted authorities to deploy a drone to assess the situation. From the aerial footage, officers identified what appeared to be four lifeless bodies — one of them presumed to be the suspect. Once the area was secured, detectives entered the home and confirmed the harrowing truth: Four individuals, including a small child, were dead.
The deaths of Judy, James, and Adalynn marked the 13th, 14th, and 15th homicides in Caddo Parish in 2025, a grim tally that underscores the weight of this tragedy for the region.
In a startling twist, neighbors informed deputies that the home’s resident was known as a “doomsday prepper.” Because of this, local law enforcement requested the assistance of the Shreveport bomb squad and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as a precautionary measure.
An ATF agent taking photographs of a house in Portland on November 3, 2014. | Source: Getty Images
While Leroy and Judy lived at the home where the tragedy occurred, James and Adalynn’s address was in the 14400 block of Highway 84 in Logansport.
Authorities have since confirmed that autopsies have been ordered for all four victims as the investigation continues. While many questions remain unanswered, officials have not released additional information at this time.
Following the release of official details surrounding the incident and on the same day that Kara and Morgan spoke to KSLA, Morgan posted a deeply emotional message expressing gratitude for the community’s outpouring of support.
In her post, she praised Kara’s courage in speaking out and thanked those who had sent prayers, kind words, and donations during the family’s darkest hour. She also offered a touching promise to care for Adalynn’s memory while honoring Kara’s strength as a grieving mother.
A day after the tragedy, Morgan channeled her grief into action, launching a GoFundMe campaign to support Kara and her family and help with funeral costs. Accompanying the fundraiser are tender photos of Kara and Adalynn.
The campaign, created with Kara’s blessing, shares a heartfelt tribute to Adalynn, describing her as a joyful and intelligent little girl who was the light of her mother’s life.
It also speaks to the cruel timing of the loss, as Kara marked this year’s Mother’s Day by laying her baby girl to rest, instead of celebrating the special day with her. The community’s compassion has been swift and generous.
The fundraiser, which initially set out to raise $25,000, has surpassed its goal, with contributions now totaling $25,640.
At this time, we wish to extend our most heartfelt condolences to Kara, Morgan, their family, and all their loved ones as they mourn such significant losses. We hope for their healing amid their time of grief. RIP, dear Adalynn, James, Judy, and Leroy.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255), text “help” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741, or go to suicidepreventionlifeline.org.
