Daphne, AL — The normally quiet streets of Sable Court have fallen into stunned silence as the community comes to terms with a tragedy that has claimed four beloved lives. In the early morning hours of Thursday, the Smith family — Larrica, her two children Kristian (15) and Kensley (11), and her husband Kenneth “Kenny” Smith — were found dead inside their home, all from apparent gunshot wounds.

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office is treating the case as a suspected murder-suicide. Evidence at the scene suggests that Kenneth Smith died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Deputies were dispatched around 3:30 a.m. for a welfare check after a worried family member contacted authorities. Unable to make contact at the door, deputies looked through the windows before forcing entry, where they encountered the devastating scene no community ever wants to face.

Sheriff Anthony Lowery described the incident as “as tragic as it comes,” noting the profound grief caused by the loss of two children alongside their mother. The Baldwin County School District has deployed crisis counselors to the schools where Kristian and Kensley were students, hoping to help classmates and teachers begin to process their grief.

Kenneth Smith was a military combat veteran who served his country before working as an independent insurance adjuster and home inspector. Friends recall his discipline, dedication, and unwavering desire to provide for his family.

Larrica Smith was a respected real estate agent with EXIT Realty Lyon in Fairhope, known for her professionalism and compassion. A graduate of Baldwin County High School, she pursued further studies at the University of South Alabama and Coastal Alabama Community College. Loved ones describe her as a devoted wife, a nurturing mother, and a loyal friend who was always ready to help others.

The Smiths’ marriage began in their university years and blossomed into a shared life in Daphne — a city where they were well-regarded, active, and deeply woven into the community’s fabric. Friends and neighbors say they were the kind of family others admired: close-knit, supportive, and warm.

Now, as investigators work to uncover what led to this tragedy, Daphne is left in mourning. Local leaders and clergy are urging residents to lean on one another, check in with friends and neighbors, and reach out for help in times of crisis.

The absence of the Smith family leaves behind an aching void. Their laughter will no longer echo down Sable Court, their presence no longer felt at school events, community gatherings, or family celebrations. What will remain are the memories — of love, dedication, and shared moments that now feel all too fleeting.

In the words of one neighbor, standing tearfully at the edge of the crime scene tape: “They were a beautiful family. It’s hard to believe they’re just… gone.”