30-year-old woman found dead in Westland murder-suicide

A text message sent in the early hours of Monday morning set off a frantic response from family members in Westland, Michigan. The message contained a threat that turned out to be a prediction of a violent end to a long relationship. Police are investigating the incident as an apparent murder-suicide that unfolded around 7 a.m. in the 35000 block of Farragut Avenue.

The timeline moved quickly once the family received the alert. Devon Parker, the victim's brother-in-law, stated he got a disturbing text from his brother, Laron Brown. Brown told Parker he intended to kill himself and his longtime girlfriend, Katlin Morris. Parker tried to calm Brown down, telling him the situation was not serious. Brown responded by texting the door code and predicting that Parker would not arrive in time, despite driving a fast vehicle.

Parker arrived at the home and looked through the kitchen window. He saw Brown lying on the floor. Police later entered the residence and found the body of Katlin Morris, 30, in a different room. Investigators described the event as a dispute between the couple, though they have not yet determined the specific cause of the argument.

Morris’s aunt, Deanna Mullins, described the victim as a hard worker who had become close to her after the death of Morris's mother. Mullins noted that Morris was a Halloween baby. Her uncle, Mark Mullins, said Morris frequently visited their home to play pool and darts with the family. He joked that she would never want to leave, requiring him to kick her out half the time.

Gary Groves, another uncle, said Brown had been part of the family for a long time. He noted that people have difficult days and that the family loves both individuals. The shooting surprised the relatives, who are processing the loss of both young adults.

Parker said he wants the incident to prompt people to check in on loved ones and co-workers. He suggested reaching out to someone who has not been contacted in a while to let them know they are thinking of them. The family is asking for the community to consider the mental health of those around them.

The investigation remains active as police gather details on the dispute. The bodies were identified as Katlin Morris and Laron Brown. The couple had dated for years.