Oklahoma influencer shot dead by estranged husband after TikTok accusations

Sara Gilson, a 43-year-old influencer with more than 30,000 TikTok followers, was found dead on Thursday in Owasso, Oklahoma, after police responded to a domestic-violence call. Officers said Gilson and her estranged husband, Jeremiah Duffey, were both shot in the head and that the incident appears to be a murder-suicide.

Gilson had filed an emergency protective order against Duffey on June 10, after police informed her that he had been accused the day before of molesting a minor who was on a basketball team he coached. The order required Duffey to stay at least 100 yards from Gilson and her home.

On July 11, Gilson posted a TikTok video accusing Duffey of pedophilia, writing, “Preparing for when Netflix drops a documentary about my soon to be ex husband who I just found out is a pedophile.” The post referenced a popular social-media trend that mimics documentary interviews.

Police said the alleged molestation involved inappropriate touching of a girl at an elementary-school event on tribal land, and that similar conduct had been reported in multiple jurisdictions. Because the incident occurred on tribal land, the case was referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for review, ending local jurisdiction.

After the shooting, Gilson’s son was taken into protective custody and later released to a relative. Gilson is survived by her son and a daughter.

"Sara was an incredible mom. Her children were the center of her world, and everything she did was for them," an online fundraiser for the children said.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.