On October 29, 2021, 8-month-old Riley Bardwell and her mother, 24-year-old April Edmisson Bardwell, were found dead in their home on Old Sterlington Road in Monroe, Louisiana. Both were discovered with apparent gunshot wounds. April was a critical care nurse and had been salutatorian in high school and a University of Louisiana at Monroe School of Nursing valedictorian; Riley is remembered as a happy baby who loved to giggle.

Authorities focused on Blake Bardwell, April’s husband and Riley’s father, who was at the scene when police arrived. He admitted to shooting both victims, was arrested, and was charged with two counts of second-degree murder. A grand jury later indicted him on those charges, and he ultimately pleaded guilty and received two life sentences.

If anyone knew April, Riley, or their family, or has information about the events leading up to October 29, 2021, please share what you know.