A routine welfare check on a Carlyle residence Tuesday morning uncovered a triple homicide that has stunned the small Clinton County community and prompted a massive multi-agency investigation. Officers were dispatched to a home in the 2100 block of Fairfax Street shortly after 8 a.m. on March 3, 2026, to check on the occupant.
Upon entering, they discovered 41-year-old Sadie L. Tull deceased inside her home, the victim of an apparent gunshot wound. The discovery immediately triggered activation of the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, which deployed 36 investigators from multiple jurisdictions to the scene.
The investigation took an even more heartbreaking turn when authorities revealed that Tull’s two dogs were also found fatally shot inside the residence. The animals were integral to Tull’s daily life and work, as she operated a dog grooming business directly from her Fairfax Street home. She was also known locally as an independent artist whose creative work reflected her deep connection to animals and community.
The Major Case Squad pursued an intensive investigation over four days, following more than 90 leads and logging over 1,000 man-hours. Investigators consulted specialized experts including a fire science analyst and an anthropology consultant with experience in burned human remains. Despite these extensive efforts, no persons of interest have been identified, and authorities have stated there is no known threat to the general public at this time.
As of Friday, March 6, the active on-scene investigation has been suspended pending the return of laboratory results and search warrant returns. The case remains open and active, with authorities prepared to pursue any new evidence that may emerge from the Fairfax Street residence.
A GoFundMe campaign established to support Tull’s family has drawn significant community support, reflecting the deep impact of her loss. Friends, clients, and neighbors remember her as a warm presence who welcomed pets and their owners into her home with genuine care and professionalism. Her death has sent shockwaves through Carlyle, where she was known not only for her dog grooming business but for her independent spirit and artistic talent.
Carlyle police and the Major Case Squad continue to urge anyone with information about Tull’s final days or any suspicious activity around the 2100 block of Fairfax Street prior to March 3 to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously through official channels as the investigation awaits forensic results that may provide answers to a community grappling with an inexplicable tragedy.