A vigil was held in memory of Sarah Carroll, a 20-year-old woman who died in a suspected murder-suicide at the Woodland Villa Apartments in Westland, Michigan. Carroll, a student at Schoolcraft College, was found deceased along with her ex-boyfriend outside the apartment complex on Drew Circle Drive. As reported by CBS Detroit, Westland police responded to reports of gunfire last Saturday night and discovered both individuals with gunshot wounds.
According to her mother, Jennifer, Sarah Carroll had been stalked by her ex-boyfriend for several months prior to the incident. Although attempts were made to secure a personal protection order, Sarah never fully revealed the severity of what she was experiencing. "To other parents – watch your kids," Jennifer urged in an interview with ClickOnDetroit, encouraging parents to stay closely involved in their children's lives. A GoFundMe page has been created to assist with funeral expenses.
The night after the incident, friends, family, and community members gathered at the scene to release balloons and honor Sarah's memory. In a reflection shared with ClickOnDetroit, her parents described her as "funny, loved by her friends, and career-driven." Sarah was balancing her college studies while working two jobs and preparing to take on a third.
The Westland Police Department has not yet released specific details about the events leading up to the shooting, though additional information is expected. In a statement shared with WXYZ, Jennifer Carroll expressed the emotional impact of the incident, saying, "I never thought I would look at my daughter's picture in the newspaper saying that she was murdered." Addressing the topic of mental illness, Sarah's father, James, emphasized the importance of seeking help, noting that the individual responsible for his daughter's death was struggling with mental health issues.
The Carroll family expressed appreciation for the outpouring of support at the vigil. "It's wonderful, I'm glad we have all this support, Sarah touched a lot of people," Jennifer said, with James adding, "It's a lot of support, we thank everybody for coming out," in statements to WXYZ.
