A routine trip to a beauty supply store ended in unimaginable tragedy for Micah Lawery, who returned home on Feb. 28, 2025, to find her 9-month-old daughter and the child’s father dead in an apparent murder-suicide.
Lawery had left her daughter, Ophelia Lawery Daniels, in the care of 21-year-old Zacchaeus Daniels at their residence on the 5000 block of Cates Avenue.
Upon her return, she found them unresponsive on the couch. Zacchaeus Daniels was pronounced dead at the scene, while Ophelia was transported to a local hospital, where she was later pronounced deceased.
“I don’t know. It’s like something came over me to turn on my cell phone flashlight, and that’s when I saw the scene,” Lawery recounted. “Something that is burned into my brain. I don’t need to close my eyes to see it. It’s not something I can unsee.”
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the deaths as a murder-suicide.
Lawery stated that Daniels had never displayed violent tendencies but had struggled with mental health issues. She now hopes to raise awareness about the importance of mental health, particularly for men who may feel isolated or without support.
“Your life is worth living. Don’t ever think that this is the only option,” Lawery urged. “If you cannot advocate for yourself, there’s always somebody near, somebody that you trust and love, that will advocate for you.”
The tragedy highlights the ongoing need for accessible mental health resources and support.
For those struggling with mental health crises, the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is available 24/7 by dialing 988.
