He’s changed: Ryan Willis McFarland, the son of the man accused of killing six family members before committing suicide, leaving his only son grieving the loss of his entire family, has officially spoken out to recount everything that happened, revealing his motives
Son loses entire family after father kills 6 before turning gun on himself, police say
Six people were killed in an Iowa town before the gunman fatally shot himself, according to local police.
Muscatine police said 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland killed six family members before killing himself Monday afternoon.
One of McFarland’s sons, Jonathan McFarland, is the sole survivor of the family.
Officials identified the victims as:
Lesa McFarland, 51
Ryle McFarland, 20
Ryan McFarland Jr., 13
Mark McFarland, 16
Dakota Whitlow, 32
Austin Harris, 29
At a vigil Tuesday evening at Muscatine High School, Jonathan McFarland delivered a complex message of grief, remembering both the victims and his father.
Jonathan McFarland identified the victims as his mother, sister and four brothers.
Jonathan McFarland told the crowd he was still in denial that he just lost his entire family.
“Just, it’s hard to even think that this is even real,” he said.
In a heartbreaking roll call of those lost, Jonathan McFarland paid tribute to his family.
“I just wanted to say that I will forever love and miss my mom, Lesa, my sister, Ryle, my four brothers, Dakota, Austin, Mark and Ryan,” he said.
Police say 52-year-old Ryan Willis McFarland of Muscatine killed six family members before killing himself.(KWQC, Muscatine County Jail)
What happened
Muscatine Police Chief Anthony Kies said the deadly shootings happened Monday in three separate locations.
At a news conference, Kies said police were called to a home at 210 Park Ave. at around noon Monday, where they found four people dead from gunshot wounds.
Kies said Ryan Willis McFarland fled the scene and was later located on Riverfront Trail near the pedestrian bridge.
Kies said Ryan Willis McFarland fatally shot himself while talking to police.
Investigators learned there may be more victims. Officers found a man dead from gunshot wounds inside a home in the 1500 block of Mill Street and another man dead at a business in the 800 block of Grandview Avenue.
School district mourns
The Muscatine Community School District confirmed Monday evening that two of the victims were district employees and two were current students.
“It is with profound sadness that we share news of a tragic incident that occurred Monday afternoon in our community involving the McFarland family,” the district said in a statement.
District officials said counselors and support resources will be available for students and staff.
The Muscatine Police Department said the investigation is ongoing. The department is being assisted by the Muscatine Fire Department, the Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office, the Iowa State Patrol and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.
Criminal history
KWQC found that Ryan Willis McFarland had a criminal history, including being charged in 2011 in connection with the death of a child. He pleaded guilty to child endangerment, an aggravated misdemeanor, in 2012.
Ryan Willis McFarland also faced several charges for fraudulent business practices in 2016 that included lying about how many miles were on a car he was selling by tampering with the odometer.
He pleaded guilty to two felonies of fraudulent practice and had to pay more than $58,000 in restitution.
SOURE: https://www.wdbj7.com/2026/06/03/son-loses-entire-family-after-father-kills-6-before-turning-gun-himself-police-say/?outputType=amp
