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Ferguson Today
By the People, for the People
Missouri Woman Charged with Murdering Ex-Fire Chief and His Teenage Daughter
Linda Hayden allegedly shot her boyfriend Henry Williams and his 15-year-old daughter Ha'layna Elliot, claiming Williams was a "bad man and a narcissist".
Published on Feb. 23, 2026
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A 61-year-old Missouri woman named Linda Hayden has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and armed criminal action for allegedly shooting and killing her boyfriend Henry Williams, a former Berkeley fire chief, and his 15-year-old daughter Ha'layna Elliot in their home. Hayden reportedly told police that Williams was a "bad man and a narcissist" after the killings.
Why it matters
This tragic incident has shocked the local community and raised questions about the dynamics between Hayden, Williams, and his daughter. As a former fire chief, Williams was a respected public figure, and his daughter was a promising young basketball player. The alleged murders have left many searching for answers about the motives behind this horrific crime.
The details
According to the criminal complaint, police responded to a call on Saturday evening and found Williams dead from a gunshot wound to the back of the head, and Ha'layna dead from a gunshot wound to the forehead. Hayden was found locked in a bedroom, and a .38 revolver with two spent casings was recovered from the room. Hayden reportedly told police that she "guessed she was the villain in the story" and that Williams was a "bad man and a narcissist", but investigators have not yet disclosed a motive for the killings.
- Police responded to the home around 6:15 p.m. on Saturday, February 22, 2026.
- Hayden is next scheduled to appear in court on March 2, 2026.
The players
Linda Hayden
A 61-year-old Missouri woman who has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and armed criminal action for allegedly killing her boyfriend and his teenage daughter.
Henry Williams
A former fire chief in Berkeley, Missouri who was killed in the shooting along with his 15-year-old daughter.
Ha'layna Elliot
The 15-year-old daughter of Henry Williams who was also killed in the shooting.
What they’re saying
“Every time she shot the ball, we all watched, and it went in every time.”
— Jael Williams, Teammate of Ha'layna Elliot (KSDK)
“When we were practicing shooting and all the girls were making it and my shooting was horrible, he pulled me to the side, and he taught me how to shoot.”
— Jael Williams, Teammate of Ha'layna Elliot (KSDK)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on March 2, 2026 whether or not to grant Hayden bail.
The takeaway
This tragic case has left the local community devastated and searching for answers about the motives behind the murders of a respected former fire chief and his promising young daughter. It raises difficult questions about domestic violence, mental health, and the impact of such senseless acts of violence on families and communities.
