Temperance, Michigan — When 17-year-old Gwen Smith walked across the stage at her high school graduation, her future seemed limitless. She was the type of teenager parents dream of—top grades, a gifted artist, and a rising star on the school’s bowling team.

But just days later, her stepfather would come home to a scene no parent should ever witness: Gwen’s lifeless body on the floor. Next to her? Another body. Her bowling coach—33-year-old Ryan List.

Both were dead. One was murdered. The other pulled the trigger.

And now, a quiet Michigan town is spiraling with questions no one can answer.

A Coach, A Student, And A Deadly Secret

To most, Ryan List was just a volunteer bowling coach. A regular guy, cleared by background checks, with no known red flags. But police say on the evening of June 14, something horrific happened inside Gwen’s home.

Authorities confirmed Gwen was shot multiple times. Ryan List then turned the gun on himself.

A murder-suicide. But why?

And how did the coach even get into the house?

No sign of forced entry. No note left behind. Just silence—and grief.

Emails From the D3@d

While police remain tight-lipped about the nature of their relationship, Gwen’s stepfather broke his silence online in a chilling post, claiming to have seen “inappropriate emails” from List before the murder.

“I’ve seen enough of the emails he sent my daughter before he killed her to know it’s not speculation. He deserves to rot in a special hell.”

The emails have not yet been made public. The motive is still unclear.

But investigators are now combing through texts, emails, and social media messages between the two in hopes of reconstructing how a coach crossed a line… and took a life.

The Psychology of Possession

Experts believe the age gap—33 vs. 17—could have created a dangerous power imbalance. Gwen may have trusted her coach. Looked up to him. Thought he was a mentor.

But what if he thought it was something more?

What if rejection—real or imagined—sent him over the edge?

“In some of these cases, it’s about power, control, and twisted entitlement,” said forensic psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Bober. “They don’t see the victim as a person. They see them as theirs. And if they feel rejected, that rage can boil into violence.”

Was There a Warning?

There were no police reports. No restraining orders. No public outbursts. But behind the scenes, digital clues may tell a very different story.

Was Gwen trying to end communication?

Was she afraid?

Or did she trust him… until the very last moment?

When Background Checks Aren’t Enough

The school district insists that Ryan List passed all screenings. He had no criminal record. No glaring red flags.

But maybe that’s the most terrifying part of all.

He didn’t look like a threat. He seemed safe.

Until he wasn’t.

A Family Forever Changed

Gwen’s family is shattered. Her community is in mourning. A promising life—full of potential—was taken in a way no one saw coming.

The school released a statement calling Gwen “an extraordinary young woman” and “a bright light in the lives of everyone who knew her.”

But now, her story is a cautionary tale—about trust, power, and the people we think we know.

Could This Have Been Prevented?

There are still more questions than answers. Could more have been done? Were there signs no one recognized? Did Gwen try to speak up?

In cases like this, experts say the danger often hides in plain sight—masked as mentorship, camouflaged as care.

And by the time the truth surfaces, it’s too late.

👀 Coming Soon: What the Emails Reveal—And How You Can Spot the Warning Signs Before It’s Too Late.

Stay with us as this story develops.
If you or someone you know is experiencing something that doesn’t feel right—speak up. Don’t wait.