A Mother’s Grief: Remembering Adalynn and the Unseen Toll of Mental Health on Families

In a heartbreaking incident that has left a Louisiana community in mourning, the life of 2-year-old Adalynn Mae Sadler was tragically cut short. Her mother, Kara Hanning, is speaking out—not to place blame, but to raise awareness about mental health, grief, and the importance of community support during difficult times.

A Devastating Morning in Keithville

On the morning of May 5, 2025, deputies from the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Office in Keithville, Louisiana, responded to a welfare check at a family home. What they found inside would leave a lasting impact on everyone involved.

The call was routine at first. But when deputies arrived, they were met with silence. No one answered the door. Then came a single gunshot.

When law enforcement entered the home, they found four individuals who had passed away—each from apparent gunshot wounds. Among them were 60-year-old Leroy Sadler, his wife Judy Sadler (64), their son James Sadler (29), and young Adalynn Mae Sadler, just 2 years old.

Authorities believe it was a murder-suicide—an unspeakable tragedy that claimed the lives of three generations in one family. But for Kara Hanning, the woman who lost her only child, it was more than a news headline. It was the day her life changed forever.

The Moments Before

Kara, Adalynn’s mother, was at work that morning when she received messages from friends. Something had happened on the Sadlers’ street. Concerned, she reached out to Adalynn’s babysitter, only to hear that her daughter had not yet been dropped off.

That moment set off a chain of unanswered calls. Kara tried to reach Adalynn’s father, James Sadler—no answer. She tried his father, Leroy—also no answer. With growing fear, she left work early and drove to the house.

When she arrived, officers were already at the scene.

“I asked them if my baby was OK,” Kara recounted. “And they just looked at me with the saddest expression. I lost it.”

Her worst fears had been realized.

“He Loved That Baby So Much”

Kara Hanning has since spoken publicly, not just to express her pain, but to ask questions that remain unanswered. What could have driven someone to do something so unthinkable—especially to a child they loved?

“I’m completely at a loss for words,” she said. “Because he loved that baby so much. I don’t know what caused this to happen or what he must have been going through.”

Leroy Sadler, by all accounts, was a doting grandfather. Kara describes him as someone who showed affection and care for Adalynn, who brought joy to everyone around her.

“I wish he had asked for help,” she said quietly. “I wish someone had seen the signs.”

The Emotional Toll of Grief and Illness

Kara believes several factors may have contributed to what happened—grief being one of them. Just six months before the tragedy, Leroy’s stepdaughter passed away from cancer. That loss, combined with Judy Sadler’s ongoing illness, may have placed enormous emotional strain on the family.

Mental health professionals agree that cumulative grief, especially when unspoken or untreated, can sometimes lead to mental health deterioration. This is particularly true when individuals do not have access to appropriate support systems or feel unable to seek help.

“Mental illness isn’t always visible,” Kara said. “We often assume someone is OK just because they don’t talk about their pain. But the truth is, sometimes it hides behind silence.”

A Plea for Compassion, Not Blame

 

In the aftermath of this tragic event, Kara and her cousin have made one request: that no one villainize anyone involved. Instead, they hope this story can serve as a call for more compassionate conversations around mental health and emotional support.

“I can’t hate him,” Kara said, referring to Leroy Sadler. “I forgive him for his actions. I wish it never happened, but I have no hate in my heart for that man.”

Forgiveness in the face of unimaginable loss is not easy. But Kara believes it’s essential—not just for herself, but for her daughter’s memory.

She wants the world to remember Adalynn not for the way she died, but for the vibrant little person she was.

Remembering Adalynn Mae

“She was sweet and sassy,” Kara said. “Her favorite word was ‘no.’”

Adalynn loved being outdoors, playing with bubbles, and splashing in water. She was energetic, curious, and full of life. Her mom describes her as a light in every room—a child who brought joy wherever she went.

Adalynn was also Kara’s only child.

“I never thought I’d have to live without her,” she said.

Now, in the midst of unspeakable loss, Kara is choosing to honor Adalynn by speaking up—not just for her daughter, but for other families who might be facing silent struggles.

The Larger Message: A Need for Support

This tragedy shines a light on a broader issue: how grief, untreated mental health challenges, and family pressure can build into overwhelming emotional distress. When multiple stressors—like the loss of a loved one, chronic illness, and isolation—converge, the results can be devastating.

Unfortunately, many people still struggle to ask for help due to stigma or lack of access to mental health services.

What can communities do?

• Normalize asking for help. Seeking therapy or support should not carry shame.

• Check on people quietly suffering. If someone has faced recent trauma or loss, reach out.

• Provide access. Local governments and nonprofits can work to improve availability of mental health services, especially in rural areas.

• Educate families. Understanding the signs of depression, grief trauma, or crisis behavior can save lives.

Kara’s Hope for Others

“I just don’t want another family to go through what we did,” Kara said. “If this story can help even one person recognize the signs, or reach out, then maybe it means something.”

She doesn’t pretend to have the answers. But she knows what loss feels like. And she wants to use her voice to make sure Adalynn’s memory lives on—not through tragedy, but through healing and awareness.

“I miss her every single moment,” she said. “But if her story can help someone else, that’s something I can hold onto.”

Final Thoughts

This heartbreaking story is a reminder that even in moments of love, pain can exist unnoticed. Families may appear fine on the surface while dealing with grief, illness, or emotional struggles behind closed doors.

If someone you know seems distant, overwhelmed, or unusually quiet, don’t ignore it. A single conversation can open the door to help. A check-in can be the bridge to hope.

Mental health is everyone’s responsibility—within families, communities, and society at large. Kara Hanning’s strength in speaking up shows that even in sorrow, there can be purpose.

Let this story be not just a moment of mourning, but a call to pay attention to the silent battles people around us may be fighting.

Sources

• KSLA News Report on the Incident

• Mental Health America – Understanding Grief

• National Institute of Mental Health – Warning Signs of Mental Illness