The mother of a bipolar 11-year-old fears she may have made a suicide pact with her adult brother, who killed the boy before shooting himself.
Lilea “Lilly” Stolworthy, 11, was shot with a gunshot wound to the head Sunday outside her home in Medical Lake, Washington. Her brother Jordan Brownlow, 31, is suspected of killing her before turning the gun on himself.
Both had made several suicide attempts in recent years, with the children’s mother, Darel Stolworthy, expressing fears that they were agreeing to die together after Brownlow sent a final text message to the family group chat that said: “It I’m sorry, please forgive me.”
Investigators have not yet commented further on the suicide pact theory.
The troubled siblings were among the twelve siblings Darel and her husband shared, four of whom were adopted, including Lilly.
Lilea “Lilly” Stolworthy, 11, (pictured) was shot and killed last Sunday in Medical Lake, Washington. Her adult brother Jordan Brownlow, 31, is believed to have killed her before turning the gun on himself
Darel Stolworthy, who counts the siblings among the 12 children she shares with her husband, four of whom are adopted, including Lilly, revealed that both had suffered from mental health issues in recent years before the tragedy
Lilly had run away from home just before Thanksgiving, and her family decided to give some of her items to Brownlow for temporary storage, according to local newspaper The Spokesman Review.
The child then returned home, wanted the items back and went with Brownlow to his car to collect them.
According to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office, she was seen her brother accosting her before witnesses heard gunshots followed by a Ford Mustang fleeing the scene.
Brownlow was found slumped in his car about 20 minutes later with a gun in his hand and remained on life support for several days before he was pronounced dead Wednesday. His organs were donated.
When Lilly didn’t return with her brother, Stolworthy went looking for the duo before making the nightmarish discovery that their adopted daughter had been shot dead on the street outside their home.
Despite her young age, Lilly had attempted suicide several times, and her mother said in their last conversation that the child had told her she wanted to be “done” with life
An affidavit showed the poignant final message Brownlow sent to his family before the tragedy: “I’m sorry. ‘Please forgive me’
The child was shot on Sunday and rushed to hospital, where he was tragically pronounced dead after succumbing to his injuries
Lilly and her brother were last seen together on Thanksgiving before he allegedly shot her on the street outside their home before speeding off and shooting himself nearby
Lilly was taken to hospital but succumbed to her injuries, and her grieving mother now says her daughter’s ongoing mental health issues may have led to the tragedy.
She told KHQ that despite her young age, her 11-year-old daughter has attempted suicide several times and has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
Although Lilly was taking medication, her recovery was hampered by a lack of counseling due to the lack of appropriate facilities and the child’s reluctance to commit to therapy.
In a heartbreaking confession, Stolworthy said that during her last conversation with her daughter, Lilly also told her that she wanted to be “done” with life.
She insisted that while her son’s alleged killing was a horrific act, she believes Brownlow saw his actions as a way to protect her family.
Although there are fears that the siblings may have planned the murder-suicide in advance, authorities have provided no direct evidence of this.
The Spokane County Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment when contacted by .
At a vigil for Lilly on Thursday, Lilly’s mother urged attendees to “get help if you need it.”
One attendee at the vigil described Lilly as “so nice” and “always so polite” and said the other children in the neighborhood “loved her.”
A vigil for the 11-year-old was held in Medical Lake on Thursday evening, with nearly 100 people braving the freezing temperatures to pay tribute to the child.
Stolworthy addressed the crowd at the celebratory event, thanking them for their family’s support and saying the presence showed the impact her daughter had had at such a young age.
“When I look around and see all of these faces that were part of Lilly’s life, it fills me with joy,” she said.
“Get help if you need it,” Stolworthy told the crowd. “She wants you to be happy and healthy.” Use her as an example to get help when needed. Be nice to each other.’
Natasha Hargrave said her daughter and Lilly had been “best friends since kindergarten” and despite her struggles, she was “just like any other child”.
A great-grandmother, Patty Herker, said her relatives lived near Lilly and “the kids talked about her all the time.”
“She was just so nice,” she added at the vigil.
“I never had any problems. She was always so polite. The children loved her… We will miss her very much.’
If you or someone you know needs help, you can reach Samaritans NYC at 212-673-3000 or the Trevor Lifeline at 1-866-488-7386.
For confidential support, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988 or click here.