On the early morning of December 21, 2025, firefighters answered a house fire on Floy Avenue in the Walnut Park West neighborhood of St. Louis and found 45-year-old LaTasha Brown and her 9-year-old daughter, Paige Buckner, inside. Both were taken to hospital in critical condition with gunshot wounds; Paige died later that day and LaTasha died the evening of December 22 after suffering a severe brain injury. The fire was ruled intentionally set and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department’s homicide detectives and Bomb and Arson Unit are handling the investigation.

LaTasha’s family described her as a devoted mother of two, a loving daughter and an active community advocate who ran nonprofit programs and helped struggling families. She was an organ donor. Authorities have not identified suspects or made arrests; the family says they believe they know who is responsible and are cooperating with police.

Anyone with information about the shootings or the intentionally set fire is asked to contact investigators.