Broken Arrow murder-suicide: another family wiped out

Written By: John Dobberstein

(BROKEN ARROW, Okla.) When police discovered the bodies of a Broken Arrow man and his two children Wednesday, it was the end of a horrific streak of loss for an entire family.

Read this story on Broken Arrow Sentinel here. 

The Broken Arrow Police Department was serving a warrant while investigating a missing persons case and found the bodies of Rodney Shippy, 58, his daughter Alyssa Diane Shippy, 20, and son Logan Shippy, 10.

Some family members hadn’t heard from or seen Alyssa since last November and a missing-persons report was filed just recently by out-of-state relatives, police said.

Police said the adult make in the home, presumed to be Rodney Shippy, had self-inflicted gunshot wounds. Due to the condition of the home, police didn’t find Alyssa’s body immediately after entering. A medical examiner will work to confirm her identity and manner of death.

As of Thursday afternoon, BAPD detectives hadn’t released any further details about the case and declined to formally identify the victims.

Relatives have organized a GoFundMe campaign to pay for the funeral expenses for the children, who they say passed away, “tragically and unexpectedly.

“Their loss has left our family in deep grief and unprepared for the financial burden that comes with arranging their funerals. We are reaching out to our community, friends, and loved ones for support during this unimaginable time.

“Every contribution, no matter the size, will go directly toward funeral expenses and helping our family honor their memories with the love and dignity they deserve. Thank you for your compassion, your prayers, and your support. It means more than words can express.”

Wednesday’s incident is the latest in a strong of deaths tragic deaths in the family that began on Aug. 17, 2022, when Rodney’s wife, Lisa Maldonado Shippy, passed away unexpectedly.

Five months later, Lisa’s mother, Diane Carpenter, 56, was stabbed to death by her husband, 66-year-old Kenny Carpenter, in south Broken Arrow before he took his own life during a 4-hour standoff with police. 

It appears Rodney Shippy’s family was about to lose their home. U.S. Bank National Assn. filed a foreclosure notice on the Shippy’s house in January in Tulsa County District Court for $135,000 in unpaid principal.

The court had given Rodney until June to file an answer to the court notice. Rodney and Lisa bought the home together in 2021.

The tragic case involving the Shippy family is the latest in a string of murder-suicides in Broken Arrow in recent years:

Phillip Jason Hammock was accused of shooting his wife and son to death in May 2023 before unsuccessfully trying to take his own life. He ended up with a traumatic brain injury and was found last year to be incompetent to stand trial.

On July 19, 2024, 26-year-old Jacob Haas shot his brother, grandfather and aunt to death before turning the gun on himself. Police never identified a solid motive for the incident.

Five months earlier, a 14-year-old girl and her 17-year-old brother, both students at Broken Arrow High School, were found dead in their home. The girl was strangled to death.

In October 2023, 6 children ages 1 to 13, and 2 adults, were found dead during a house fire. The children were all shot to death and the parents were also found dead from gunshot wounds. Police said both parents were suspects in the children’s killings.

Statistics appear to show domestic violence homicides are a problem statewide. In February, Oklahoma’s Domestic Violence Fatality Review Board released statistics showing domestic violence homicides in the state are on the rise. 

That report stated, “The 122 domestic violence-related homicide victims identified in 2023 is the highest number since the DVFRB started collecting data in 2002. The total marks five consecutive years where the DVFRB has identified more than 100 victims who were killed due to domestic violence in Oklahoma.” 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can reach out to the DVIS 24-Hour Information & Crisis Line at 918-743-5763.