On May 25, 2014, 34-year-old Summer Hickman suffered a fatal gunshot wound at a residence on Audrain Road 923 in Mexico, Missouri. Emergency responders took her to Audrain Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. Local authorities treated the scene as a suspicious death and launched an investigation that focused on Hickman’s husband, Ricky John Harding Jr., who was present at the home.

Harding initially told investigators the shooting was a freakish accident and that Hickman had shot herself. Prosecutors said evidence contradicted that account, alleging a domestic dispute escalated and that Harding brought a stolen Colt 45 into the house despite being a convicted felon barred from possessing firearms. Investigators also said Harding dragged Hickman to the garage and left her there to bleed while her children waited in the dark.

Harding was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, domestic assault, armed criminal action, and endangering the welfare of a child. At trial in 2015 the jury rejected the accidental-shooting defense, convicted Harding, and the court imposed a lengthy prison term reported as at least 30 years. Does anyone have information about Summer’s life in Audrain County or the events that led up to that Memorial Day weekend?