Police say the victims were found inside a North Clay Avenue home.
FERGUSON, MO — A 61-year-old woman has been charged in the shooting deaths of a retired Berkeley fire chief and his 15-year-old daughter, who police say were found inside their home after relatives came to check on them Saturday evening.
Authorities identified the victims as Henry Williams and his daughter, Ha’layna Elliott. Investigators described the case as domestic-related and said there is no ongoing threat to the public. The suspect, Linda Hayden of Ferguson, is jailed on a $2 million cash-only bond as detectives continue to review what led up to the fatal shootings.
Police said Williams contacted relatives on Saturday, Feb. 21, asking them to come to his home on Clay Avenue around 5:30 p.m. When family members arrived roughly 40 minutes later, officers said, they found Williams in the kitchen with a gunshot wound to the back of his head. Elliott was found in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to her forehead, police said. Emergency aid was provided, but both were pronounced dead at the scene. Hayden was later taken into custody, and prosecutors filed charges of first-degree murder and two counts of armed criminal action, according to police and court records described by local authorities.
Investigators have not publicly laid out a detailed motive, and police have not said what prompted Williams to call relatives to the house shortly before the deaths. Officers said the shootings appear to have happened inside the residence and have characterized the episode as an isolated domestic incident. Police also described a statement they said Hayden made to them during the investigation, saying she spontaneously told officers she “guessed she was the villain in the story” and described Williams as “a bad man and a narcissist.” Authorities have not released a full probable-cause statement detailing the sequence of events, what evidence they recovered, or whether a weapon was found at the home.
Williams was known in the St. Louis area for his public service and community ties. He previously served as fire chief and city manager in Berkeley, a nearby municipality, according to people familiar with his career. Friends and former colleagues described him as a mentor to younger employees and a steady presence in the community. A Berkeley employee told local media that Williams most recently worked at Boeing. Police have not said how long Williams and Hayden knew each other or the status of their relationship in the days before the shootings, beyond describing Hayden as his girlfriend or former girlfriend in early reports.
Elliott’s death sent shock through her school and youth sports circles. She attended Pattonville High School and played basketball, and former coaches said she was active with a traveling AAU team. Romekia Verges, a former coach, said Elliott brought energy to practices and trips and quickly fit in with teammates. “Immediate sadness and so much heartache, she is so young,” Verges said. Pattonville officials said counselors were made available to students and staff in the days following the shooting, and the school planned to honor Elliott during a basketball game on Tuesday night.
The charges filed against Hayden are among Missouri’s most serious homicide counts. First-degree murder in Missouri generally alleges an intentional killing after deliberation, and armed criminal action is an added offense tied to committing a felony with a weapon. Prosecutors have not publicly announced whether they plan to seek additional charges, and police have not said whether investigators believe more people were involved. Court proceedings were expected to move forward in St. Louis County, where Hayden remained held at the St. Louis County Justice Center while the case is reviewed.
Neighbors described a quiet residential stretch where police cars and investigators arrived Saturday evening. Some residents said they did not hear gunshots and only realized something was wrong when they saw emergency vehicles and officers blocking parts of the street. In the days after the killings, friends and relatives shared memories of Williams as a devoted father who showed up for his daughter’s games and encouraged other children on the sidelines. Coaches and family friends said Elliott was known for her humor and for being close with teammates during weekend tournaments and long road trips.
As of Monday, Hayden remained jailed on the $2 million cash-only bond, and police said the investigation was ongoing as they work to piece together what happened inside the home and what led up to the deaths.
Author note: Last updated Feb. 23, 2026.