BETHANY, Okla. — A tragic incident unfolded Sunday, resulting in the deaths of a 6-year-old girl and her father in what authorities are investigating as a murder-suicide. Billy Feaster, 29, reportedly shot his daughter, Elizibeth, before taking his own life in the backyard of their home.

The Bethany Police Department confirmed the grim discovery, with Chief J.D. Reid describing the event as “an absolute terrible and tragic event.” The police are still determining the motive behind this shocking act.

Court documents reveal a history of violence involving Feaster, which had raised significant concerns during a custody battle with the mother of his children that began in 2018. Legal expert Ed Blau noted that as part of the custody arrangement, the judge had granted the mother full custody while allowing Feaster only supervised visitation for four to six hours each week. Blau remarked, “There was a specific indication that he was not to be alone with the children.”

The judge’s ruling followed a series of allegations made by the mother detailed in court filings. In one instance, she claimed that Feaster had destroyed her phone to prevent her from calling for help during a violent episode. Additionally, she reported witnessing him physically assault their 3-year-old son during the same period.

Blau emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The law presumes joint custody and equal time with children. For a judge to grant only supervised visitation, there had to be real concerns about the father’s behavior.” This arrangement remained unchanged since March 2020, with no further legal motions submitted by either party regarding the custody agreement.

Further complicating the case, Feaster attempted to secure a protective order against the mother shortly after she initiated custody proceedings. However, that request was dismissed by a judge in March 2020.

The aftermath of this heartbreaking event continues to reverberate throughout the community, leaving family members and local residents grappling with a profound sense of loss. While investigations are ongoing, the complexities surrounding domestic violence in custody disputes remain a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by many families.

As authorities seek to understand the circumstances leading to this tragedy, they aim to ensure that such incidents are prevented in the future. The entire community is left mourning the loss of a young life and reflecting on the broader societal implications of domestic violence.