Jeremiah Shawn Duffey allegations preceded suspected murder-suicide
Police documents say Duffey was accused of molesting a girl he coached weeks before Sara Gilson and Duffey were found dead.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
3 min read
Jeremiah Shawn Duffey allegations involving a juvenile basketball player were under review weeks before police say he and his wife, influencer Sara Gilson, were found dead in Oklahoma in an apparent murder-suicide, according to police documents obtained by TMZ.
TMZ reported that Owasso Police documents describe a June 9 report made by the girl and a parent roughly an hour after an alleged incident at an Oklahoma elementary school. Police listed the alleged offense as lewd molestation of a minor, according to the outlet.
The documents say Duffey, who coached the girl, allegedly touched her inappropriately. Another coach allegedly saw what happened, stepped in at once and told the girl’s parent, TMZ reported, citing the police records.
By the time officers arrived, Duffey had allegedly left the school. The documents say Owasso Police did not see him afterward, according to TMZ.
What are the Jeremiah Shawn Duffey allegations?
Police documents cited by TMZ say Duffey was accused of inappropriate contact with a juvenile girl he coached. Investigators also learned of alleged similar conduct involving the same girl in multiple law-enforcement jurisdictions across several states, according to the documents.
TMZ reported that police said Duffey was a member of the Osage Nation and that the alleged incident occurred in Indian Country. Because of that, the case was referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for review under the Federal Major Crimes Act, according to the police documents.
The Federal Major Crimes Act gives federal authorities jurisdiction over certain serious offenses involving Native Americans in Indian Country. In practical terms, that can place a case with federal prosecutors rather than only local authorities.
Police also contacted Gilson during the investigation, TMZ reported. According to the documents, officers gave her information about seeking an emergency protective order, which she later obtained against Duffey.
Gilson and Duffey were found dead from gunshot wounds inside her Oklahoma home on July 23, TMZ reported. Police said the scene appeared to be a murder-suicide, according to the outlet.
TMZ also reported it obtained dispatch audio from the night of the shooting. In the audio, a dispatcher said a woman could be heard screaming and crying before a loud bang, according to the outlet.
Duffey’s ex-wife later told TMZ she was shocked by his alleged actions but not surprised, claiming he had threatened her during their relationship. She also told the outlet that his daughters refused to see him after the allegations involving the basketball player became known.
Less than two weeks before she died, Gilson posted a TikTok in which she called her soon-to-be ex-husband a pedophile and said, “I wish I was joking,” TMZ reported.
The molestation allegations against Duffey were not adjudicated before his death, based on the facts reported by TMZ. No response from Duffey to the allegations is included in the police account described by the outlet.
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This story draws on original reporting from TMZ.