On a day meant to celebrate maternal love, 24-year-old Jorre Hadley’s life was tragically cut short in St. Louis, Missouri, on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2025. The young mother, who had just attended a heartfelt service at Unfailing Love Christian Church with her three-year-old son, was fatally shot in a car on the 4400 block of Maffitt Avenue in the Ville neighborhood. The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department has since revealed that the shooting stemmed from a heated custody dispute between Hadley and the father of her child, 28-year-old Deandre Miller. The incident, which unfolded in front of Hadley’s young son and siblings, has left a grieving family and a shaken community searching for answers.

According to police reports, the tragedy began with an argument between Hadley and Miller over custody arrangements for their three-year-old son. Hadley, seated in the front passenger seat of a car with her son and siblings, had briefly left the scene to visit an auto parts store. Upon their return, Miller rekindled the dispute. The confrontation escalated quickly. Miller, after stepping away momentarily, approached the vehicle, drew a firearm, and fired multiple shots at Hadley, striking her as she sat in the car. She was pronounced dead at the scene, her life extinguished just hours after she had been seen joyfully engaging with her son at church. Miller fled the area in a separate vehicle, leaving behind a scene of devastation.

Hadley’s death has reverberated deeply through her family and community. The eldest of eight siblings, she had returned to St. Louis after the 2021 passing of their mother to help raise her brothers and sisters. Her sister, Janiya Hadley, described the harrowing moment she received a call from her younger brother, who was screaming in distress at the crime scene. When Janiya arrived, she found her nephew and another sibling in the back of a police car, unable to see them immediately. The loss is compounded by the fact that Hadley had been visibly emotional during the church’s Mother’s Day service, which included a memorial for those who had lost their mothers. Despite her grief, she found moments of joy interacting with her son and other children at the service, a memory now cherished by those who knew her.

The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department moved swiftly to apprehend Miller. On May 13, 2025, officers executed a search warrant at a residence in the 4600 block of Korte Avenue in the Penrose neighborhood. As they approached, Miller attempted to flee but was located by a police K-9 named Admiral. During the apprehension, Miller resisted, reportedly placing the dog in a headlock before being subdued. He was booked into the St. Louis City Justice Center that night and is being held without bond.

Prosecutors have filed eight charges against Miller, reflecting the gravity of the incident. He faces one count of first-degree murder, a Class A felony, for Hadley’s death. Additionally, he is charged with two counts of armed criminal action, one count of unlawful use of a weapon, and one count of unlawful possession of a firearm, underscoring his alleged use of a gun as a convicted felon. Miller also faces charges of resisting arrest, endangering the welfare of a child—due to the presence of his son during the shooting—and a misdemeanor count of assault on a law enforcement animal for his actions against K-9 Admiral. The charges paint a picture of a violent and reckless act that endangered not only Hadley but also the young child and others present.

The investigation remains ongoing, with police urging anyone with information to contact them at 314-444-5371. Hadley’s death has sparked renewed conversations about domestic disputes and gun violence in St. Louis, a city already grappling with high rates of violent crime. Community members and church leaders have expressed their heartbreak, remembering Hadley as a devoted mother and sister whose life was marked by resilience and love for her family. As the legal process unfolds, her family faces the daunting task of healing from this profound loss, while her young son must grow up without the mother who cherished him. The tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences of unresolved conflicts and the urgent need for community support and intervention.