A 16-year-old girl, identified as Gabbriana ‘Gabby’ Boyster, was discovered deceased in her Hillsboro, Missouri home on Saturday afternoon. Authorities allege that three other juveniles were present at the residence when Boyster sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head. Her mother, Candy G’Sell, found her daughter in her room, prompting an investigation by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
Tragic Discovery and Investigation
The heartbreaking discovery was made by G’Sell, who had last spoken to her daughter on Friday night. She recalled advising Boyster to lock the door while she was away. “I walked in the room and she was laying there…sitting up,” G’Sell recounted to local news, expressing profound grief over her daughter’s death. “My baby is gone. What mother wants to bury their baby?”
Investigators determined that three teenagers were inside the home around the time of the shooting. G’Sell indicated that her daughter knew the three boys and considered them friends. The timeline suggests Boyster was shot on Friday evening, and her body remained in the home until her mother found her the following afternoon.
Charges Filed Against Juveniles
On Tuesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office announced that three juvenile suspects have been charged in connection with Boyster’s death. The charges include:
- Abandonment of a corpse (all three suspects)
- Involuntary manslaughter (one suspect)
- Unlawful use of a weapon (one suspect)
- Armed criminal action (one suspect)
According to officials, one of the three teens remains in custody, while the other two have been released. The specific owner of the firearm allegedly used in the incident has not been disclosed by authorities.
Family and Community Mourn
G’Sell described her youngest child as “sweet and innocent and kind,” emphasizing her love for friends and family. “It’s not a game. Guns are not toys,” she stated, reflecting on the tragic circumstances. Boyster was preparing to enter her junior year at Hillsboro High School.
A GoFundMe campaign established for Boyster’s family highlighted her positive spirit, describing her as “the kind of person who would always make you smile.” The fundraiser further elaborated on her character: “She was beautiful inside and out, full of laughter, endless giggles, and a smile that made everyone around her feel at home. She loved deeply, cared fiercely, and brought joy everywhere she went.” The description also noted her roles as a “daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, niece, and friend who was cherished beyond words.”
Hailey McLain, Boyster’s sister, shared her devastation, calling Gabbriana the “sweetest kindest soul ever” and “the best aunt you could ask for.” Her cousin, Alicia Breann, expressed the family’s immeasurable pain on Facebook, writing, “She was taken from us far too soon, and the pain we’re feeling is impossible to put into words. She deserved so much more than this.”
School District Response
Superintendent Dr. Jon Isaacson of the local school district issued a statement expressing condolences and offering support. “Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, and everyone impacted by this unimaginable loss,” the statement read. “While words cannot take away the pain of this tragedy, we want our students and staff and families to know they are not alone. We are committed to providing support and care for everyone who is grieving during this difficult time.”
Calls for Justice
Friends of Gabbriana Boyster have organized protests outside the Jefferson County Missouri Circuit Court and the Jefferson County Juvenile Detention Center, holding signs with the hashtag ‘#JusticeForGabby.’ Community members have expressed heartbreak over the incident, with one online comment noting, “Just saw a bunch of kids protesting outside of the Jefferson county courthouse. Screaming justice for Gabby. It is truly heartbreaking that this is what our world has come to. Teenagers crying outside the courthouse because their friend is dead.”
G’Sell continues to grapple with the loss, stating, “There’s no reason for innocent lives to be taken away. She had so much life in front of her.” The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the subsequent abandonment of Boyster’s body is ongoing.
