Gabbriana Boyster’s mother found the 16-year-old inside their Hillsboro-area home several hours after investigators believe she was shot.
HILLSBORO, MO — Three juveniles have been charged after a 16-year-old girl was fatally shot and left for hours inside her Jefferson County home before her mother discovered her body, authorities said.
Gabbriana Boyster was found Saturday afternoon, July 11, at a residence in the 7900 block of Tower Road north of Hillsboro. Jefferson County Sheriff Dave Marshak said investigators believe the shooting happened Friday evening. One juvenile remains detained on several felony allegations, while two others charged with abandoning Boyster’s body have been released from custody.
Boyster’s mother, Candy G’Sell, told KSDK that she came home Saturday and found her daughter in a bedroom. “My baby’s gone,” she said while describing the loss. Authorities have not released the names or ages of the juveniles because the case is being handled through the juvenile court system.
The Jefferson County Juvenile Office is seeking charges of involuntary manslaughter, unlawful use of a weapon resulting in death, armed criminal action and abandonment of a corpse against one juvenile, Chief Juvenile Officer Melissa Perris said. That juvenile remained at the county’s Juvenile Detention Center as of Tuesday.
The other two juveniles each face a charge of abandonment of a corpse. They were released after being taken into juvenile custody. The filing of juvenile petitions represents allegations, and the court has not determined that any of the accused committed the offenses.
Investigators believe all three juveniles were at the home when Boyster was shot. Officials have not said who fired the gun, how the weapon was obtained or what happened before the shooting. They also have not announced a suspected motive or explained why no one immediately reported that Boyster had been wounded.
Marshak said Boyster’s body remained in the home for several hours after the shooting. The sheriff’s office initially described the death as an active homicide investigation, but the lead charge filed against one juvenile is involuntary manslaughter. Authorities have not released additional evidence or explained the circumstances that led juvenile officials to seek that charge.
Boyster was preparing to enter her junior year at Hillsboro High School. Hillsboro R-3 School District Superintendent Jon Isaacson said counseling would be available to students, families and employees affected by her death.
“Our hearts are with the student’s family, friends, and everyone impacted by this unimaginable loss,” Isaacson said in a statement. “While words cannot take away the pain of this tragedy, we want our students, staff, and families to know they are not alone.”
Relatives remembered Boyster, known as Gabby, as a cheerful teenager who cared deeply about the people around her. In a family fundraising appeal for funeral expenses, her cousin Alicia G’Sell described Boyster as someone whose laughter and smile made others feel welcome. The fundraiser had collected more than $15,000 by Tuesday, according to the Jefferson County Leader.
Boyster was born Jan. 28, 2010, in St. Louis, according to an obituary published by her family. She is survived by her parents, siblings and other relatives. Visitation is scheduled for Monday, July 20, in Cedar Hill, followed by funeral and graveside services Tuesday, July 21.
The sheriff’s office said the investigation remains active. Officials have not announced when the detained juvenile will next appear in court or whether prosecutors will seek to have any part of the case handled in adult court.
Author note: Last updated July 15, 2026.