Who Was Sara Gilson? Social Media Influencer Shot and Killed by Husband after She Used Netflix Trend to Accuse Him of Being a Pedophile

A social media influencer was allegedly shot and killed by her estranged husband after she used a TikTok trend to accuse him of being a pedophile, according to police. Sara Gilson, 43, was allegedly shot and killed by her husband, Jeremiah “Shawn” Duffey, 48, in a murder-suicide after he broke into her home in Owasso, Oklahoma, on Thursday, July 23, police said.

Authorities have now launched an investigation into the incident. The deadly shooting came less than two weeks after Gilson posted a TikTok on July 11, taking part in the viral “Netflix documentary” trend, where users pretend that they are being interviewed for a documentary on the streaming platform.

Turning into a Murderer

While most people used the trend to joke about everyday mishaps or embarrassing moments, Gilson took a far more serious approach, using the video to reference the end of her marriage over allegations that her husband was a pedophile.

“Preparing for when Netflix drops a documentary about my soon to be ex husband who I just found out is a pedophile,” Gilson wrote in the video.

The mother of two added, “I wish I was joking,” in the caption. The post went viral, drawing more than six million views.

Duffey was allegedly seen kissing and touching the teenager, who played on the youth basketball team he coached, by another coach, according to a protective order filed on June 10 by the 15-year-old girl’s mother.

Gilson and Duffey’s marriage ended in 2021 after she filed two protective orders against him. However, both petitions were dismissed because she did not appear in court, according to The Oklahoman.

On June 10, the same day the alleged victim’s mother sought a protective order, Gilson also filed for an emergency protective order, alleging that Duffey had a gun, threatened to take his own life, and then “went on the run.”

Duffey was never arrested or charged in connection with the allegations. Although a report was filed with the Owasso Police Department, it remains unclear whether Duffey was under investigation before his death.

Roamed Away Carefree

A judge granted Gilson’s protective order, requiring Duffey to leave their home and stay at least 100 yards away from her, according to People. The order was later extended on June 23 and remained in effect through Aug. 24.

Duffey was also named in a separate protective order filed the same day by the 15-year-old girl’s mother.

In the filing, she alleged that the youth basketball coach kissed and touched her daughter after another coach reportedly witnessed the incident. She also claimed her daughter told her that Duffey had sent her messages, invited her to his hotel room during a tournament, and offered her money to keep quiet, according to the court filing.

Gilson shared two more videos that appeared to reflect on what she had been through before her death, after posting the TikTok in which she accused her husband of the alleged abuse.

In one clip, she was seen enjoying time on a boat with a friend, writing: “Everyone talks about romantic love, but no one talks about how female friendships literally save your life.”

She later posted another video of herself on a yacht with the caption: “May whatever the f*** that was never find me again.”

Just days after that final post, Duffey allegedly broke into Gilson’s home, shot her dead, and then died by suicide, according to police.