St. Louis Mom Discovers Daughter & Partner Dead in Tragic Murder-Suicide: "Something I Can't Unsee"

A grieving mother from St. Louis mourns the loss of her 9-month-old daughter and partner, as family and friends seek answers in the wake of a tragic murder-suicide.

St. Louis, MO

A mother in St. Louis is grieving after coming home to find a devastating scene. This murder-suicide claimed the lives of her 9-month-old daughter, Ophelia Lawery-Daniels, and the baby’s father, 25-year-old Zaccheus Daniels.

Micah Lawery, 23, described the horrific moment she found her daughter’s lifeless body alongside Daniels in their shared apartment. “It’s not something I can unsee,” Lawery told local news station KSDK. “It’s burned into my memory. Even when my eyes are open, I see it.”

Police responded to the tragic incident on March 5, 2025, at the family’s apartment located in north St. Louis.

Authorities confirmed the deaths as a murder-suicide but have yet to determine a clear motive. Daniels, who was reportedly battling mental health issues, was described by Micah Lawery as a gentle person who had never shown violent tendencies towards her or their child.

"He was a good person,” Lawery explained. “As a friend, he was loyal. He was gentle and loving as a partner, and as a father, he always tried to do his absolute best."

Now, Lawery is left with haunting memories and the heavy silence that fills their once-vibrant home. “It’s so quiet now, you could hear a pin drop,” she told local reporters. Each day has become an emotional struggle, as she continues to cope with the overwhelming loss of her daughter and partner.

A family friend set up a GoFundMe page to support Lawery during this difficult time. The fundraiser describes Ophelia as a sweet, joyful child, whose bright life was taken in an act of senseless violence. The GoFundMe campaign aims to support Lawery through funeral costs and help her find healing during this unimaginable time.

As Lawery and her family mourn, friends and community members have rallied around them, urging awareness and compassion toward mental health struggles and emphasizing the importance of seeking help during difficult times.