BEDFORD TOWNSHIP, Mich. – The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office held a press conference Wednesday, June 18, regarding two potential murder-suicides that happened within days of each other.
Authorities believe 33-year-old Ryne Jacob Leist shot and killed 17-year-old Gwendolyn Fay Smith before killing himself.
It happened Saturday, June 14, at a home on West Sterns Road, just east of Jackman Road. It’s unrelated to the deaths of two teens who were found dead days later.
Their bodies were found by Gwendolyn’s stepfather. She reportedly had been shot multiple times.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Wednesday that Leist worked as a bowling coach for the high school Gwendolyn attended, but was employed through Forest View Lanes, and not the school itself. He reportedly had resigned before the shooting.
Authorities believe the two met each other through the bowling league.
While the relationship between the two is unclear, authorities believe Gwendolyn did see it as romantic.
The investigation is ongoing.
Even though Bedford Township Schools and Airport Community Schools are out of session for the summer, both have activated crisis response teams to provide support for the community.
The full press conference can be watched in the video player below.