Justice for Gabby: A Tulsa Family Still Seeks Answers 12 Years After the Brutal Murder of 16-Year-Old Gabrielle Bledsoe

TULSA, OKLAHOMA — A wave of heartbreak and anger has swept across Tulsa as family, friends, and neighbors continue to mourn the devastating loss of 16-year-old Gabrielle Monique Bledsoe — a vibrant, straight-A student-athlete whose life was stolen in a brutal act of violence that remains unsolved more than a decade later.

The tragic incident took place on the morning of Saturday, March 2, 2013. Gabrielle, affectionately known as “Gabby,” was found stabbed to death in her home in North Tulsa by her mother, Lacrecia Bledsoe, who had returned home after becoming worried over missed calls and silence from her daughter’s phone.

The front door was unlocked — something Gabby would never have allowed while home alone — and what Lacrecia discovered inside changed her life forever.

“As soon as I opened the door, her body was laying right there at the beginning of the hallway,” Lacrecia recalled. “That’s when I saw the handle of the knife sticking out… I immediately lost it. I dropped my keys and purse and said, ‘Gabby, what are you doing? Get up baby. Quit playing.’ But her eyes didn’t blink.”

Gabby was found with a kitchen knife still embedded in her neck. She had been home alone overnight and likely died during the early morning hours. Authorities noted no signs of sexual assault or struggle, which has left family and investigators questioning the motive.

A Promising Future Cut Short

Gabrielle Bledsoe was a standout student with a 3.8 GPA and dreams of one day becoming a lawyer. She was involved in multiple sports, including basketball, softball, and track. Known for her positive attitude, drive, and love for life, she was respected by teachers and admired by classmates.

“She was the best gift life ever gave me,” her mother said.

Just hours before her death, Gabby had taken selfies in her bedroom — photos that now haunt her family as they mark the final moments before her life was taken.

A Mother’s Belief and an Ongoing Mystery

Lacrecia Bledsoe believes she knows who murdered her daughter. Though police never named him publicly, her ex-boyfriend — James Roylee Barber — was arrested 11 days later on unrelated drug charges. Barber, who had a documented history of domestic violence involving Lacrecia, was described by investigators as uncooperative when questioned about Gabby’s death.

In 2010, Barber had been charged with assault and assault with a deadly weapon during incidents that reportedly occurred while he and Lacrecia were living together. Those charges were later dropped. Despite community whispers and suspicion, police have not charged anyone with Gabrielle’s murder.

“There were things missing from the house that only he would take. He was our only enemy,” Lacrecia stated. “He didn’t just want to kill Gabby — he wanted to destroy me emotionally.”

A Chilling Crime Scene, A Message Sent

The knife left in Gabby’s neck suggested to those close to her that the killing was deeply personal. Despite the horrific nature of the crime, authorities found no evidence of sexual assault, which they say often accompanies such brutal murders.

“Whoever did this wasn’t just trying to take Gabby’s life,” a family friend said. “They were sending a message. This was about hurting her mother in the worst possible way.”

Police also learned that Gabby’s phone had attempted to call her mother several times during the night — a detail that suggests she sensed danger in her final moments.

A Community Still Waiting for Justice

The Bledsoe family’s anguish is compounded by the silence surrounding Gabby’s case. Though evidence was gathered, including DNA, fingerprints, and items belonging to a person of interest, none of it definitively tied anyone to the murder. Lacrecia and others close to the family believe that witnesses in the community are afraid to speak up.

“I will never stop fighting for her,” Lacrecia said. “Gabby deserved to live. She had so much ahead of her.”

Despite the passage of time, vigils are still held in Gabby’s memory. Her former classmates and teammates remember her as a kind soul with a contagious smile. Her family refuses to let her name fade from memory.

Let Justice Speak for Gabby

Tulsa Police say the investigation remains open, and they continue to seek tips that could help bring justice to Gabrielle Bledsoe’s family. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Tulsa Police Department’s homicide division at (918) 596-9135 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers.

After 12 years, the pain hasn’t dulled — but the family’s determination to see justice served burns brighter than ever.

Let her story be heard. Let her name never be forgotten. Let justice speak.