Sara Gilson's former husband recalls pleading with her to end relationship before her death
The influencer's ex says he repeatedly offered to help her leave what he described as an abusive relationship
Sara Gilson's former husband, Lyle Landers, says he repeatedly pleaded with the influencer to leave her estranged husband years before she was fatally shot in what authorities say was a murder-suicide.
Speaking to People, Landers said he had long been concerned about Gilson's relationship with Jeremiah "Shawn" Duffey, whom police say shot the 43-year-old at her Oklahoma home on July 23 before taking his own life.
“Shawn had been a risk for her since they got together,” Landers said, adding that he had urged Gilson for years to end the relationship.
“I had begged her for five years to get away from him,” he said. “I had offered to help her, in any way I could, to get away from him. But he seemed to have some sort of control over her, and she couldn't seem to get away.”
According to the Owasso Police Department, Duffey, 48, allegedly killed Gilson before dying by suicide. The incident came just weeks after Gilson publicly accused him of being a pedophile on social media.
Landers, who shares two children with Gilson, remembered his former wife as a devoted mother whose children were always her top priority.
“She was a beautiful person, inside and out,” he said. “Her greatest achievement in life was our two babies.”
Although the couple divorced about seven years ago, Landers said they have rebuilt their relationship into a strong friendship and continue to work closely together as co-parents.
“It had been the best thing in the world for our kids,” he said. “We co-parent as well as anyone, and it has shown in our kids.”
He also praised Gilson's dedication to her work as a hairdresser and said she cared deeply for others without judgment.
Landers believes her determination to protect children ultimately led to the events surrounding her death.
Court records cited by People show Gilson sought an emergency protective order against Duffey on June 10, alleging he possessed a gun, threatened suicide and fled. The order required him to stay away from her and was later extended through Aug. 24.
Earlier protective orders filed by Gilson in 2021 were dismissed after she did not appear at scheduled hearings, according to court records.
Separately, court documents filed in June alleged inappropriate conduct by Duffey involving a 15-year-old girl he had coached.
Those allegations were referenced in Gilson's public accusations weeks before her death.
Following the tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support Gilson and Landers' two children.
