Mary Ray, Kelley Cincurak, and Rickie Ray die in fatal Hernando, Mississippi shooting
Fatal Hernando, Mississippi shooting claims the lives of Mary Ray, Kelley Cincurak, and Rickie Ray – Obituary
A woman is speaking out after a tragic triple shooting in Hernando, Mississippi, claimed the lives of three of her close family members.
Deborah Laws, now the eldest in her family, is grappling with the heartbreaking loss of her sister, mother, and stepfather. “I’m the oldest now. I moved right up to the oldest through this,” she shared. “Three of them are gone. I’m the only one left. And I was thinking earlier, where am I going for Christmas this year?”
Laws revealed that she spoke to her stepfather, Rickie Ray, just an hour before the tragic incident. She mentioned that her stepfather had been under significant stress in the weeks leading up to the shooting, particularly concerned about her mother, Mary Ray’s declining health. Rickie had even asked Laws to return to the Mid-South from Florida to assist.
Laws’ son was present in the home during the shooting but was unharmed. “It still hasn’t sunk in for me,” she said. “I don’t know when it will. It doesn’t feel real.”
The Hernando Police Department responded to a report of shots fired at a home on Mason Drive on Sunday morning. The home, once filled with joyful memories, was now the scene of a devastating tragedy.
Laws reminisced about the happier times spent at the home, where her mother and stepfather would host summer gatherings for their grandchildren. “They put in a swimming pool in the backyard as grandchild bait,” she recalled. “Built them a Tiki bar, and he would serve them virgin drinks while they had their little pool parties.”
Investigators revealed that Mary Ray was discovered in the breakfast nook with a fatal gunshot wound. Her sister, Kelley Cincurak, was found on the back porch, later succumbing to her injuries. Rickie Ray was found in the bedroom, appearing to have died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, with two firearms nearby.
“I never saw him as being someone who had a breaking point,” Laws said, struggling to comprehend the situation. “He was our family rock. Everyone leaned on him.”
Rickie Ray, who had served in the military for decades, was deeply involved in supporting fellow veterans. Laws mentioned that despite his service, she wasn’t aware of any mental health issues stemming from it. “What he hated most was the suicide rate among veterans. He hated that and wanted to see it go lower,” she said. “I can’t believe he became part of it.”
In the wake of the tragedy, some of Laws’ friends have initiated a GoFundMe campaign to assist with expenses related to the incident, including therapy for her son and cleanup costs at the house.
For those in need of mental health support, resources are available:
State of Tennessee: Call 855-CRISIS-1 (855-274-7471) or Text “TN” to 741-741 to connect with a mental health professional.
Behavioral Health Safety Net, TN Department of Mental Health & Substance Abuse: 800-560-5467, or email at [email protected].
Memphis Crisis Center: 24-hour lifeline at 901-274-7477.
Mental Health Mississippi: Call 601-359-1288.
Ole Miss Clinic for Outreach and Personal Enrichment (COPE): Offers free mental health counseling. Call 662-915-7197.
Arkansas Department of Human Services – Mental Health & Addiction Support Line: Call 1-844-763-0198.
Fatal Hernando, Mississippi shooting claims the lives of Mary Ray, Kelley Cincurak, and Rickie Ray – Obituary A woman is speaking out after a tragic triple shooting in Hernando, Mississippi, claimed the lives of three of her close family members. Deborah Laws, now the eldest in her family, is grappling with the heartbreaking loss of…
Fatal Hernando, Mississippi shooting claims the lives of Mary Ray, Kelley Cincurak, and Rickie Ray – Obituary A woman is speaking out after a tragic triple shooting in Hernando, Mississippi, claimed the lives of three of her close family members. Deborah Laws, now the eldest in her family, is grappling with the heartbreaking loss of…