On January 3, 2026, Sarah Rice, a cherished 39-year-old resident of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, lost her life in a tragic incident that unfolded within her home on 10th Avenue. A devoted mother of four daughters, her sudden passing has left the Lehigh Valley community shaken and grieving.
Authorities were dispatched shortly after 10:45 p.m. following a distress call, where they discovered Sarah fatally wounded in what investigators describe as a domestic violence case. The quiet west side neighborhood, accustomed to ordinary rhythms of family life, was jolted by the devastating violence that shattered an otherwise routine Friday evening.
Reports indicate the situation began around 10:15 p.m., when emergency services received notice of a medical crisis at the residence. Police entered to find Sarah already deceased from close-range gunfire. Her husband, Gregory “Greg” Rice, 42, was also found critically injured from self-inflicted wounds. Despite urgent transport to St. Luke’s University Hospital and intensive medical intervention, he succumbed to his injuries at 11:39 p.m., marking the incident as a tragic escalation of household tensions.
The trauma deepened when one of the couple’s children returned home from a playdate and encountered the harrowing scene, alerting authorities while other siblings and a relative remained unharmed but deeply distressed elsewhere in the house. Officers quickly secured the area, safeguarded the surviving family members, and began collecting evidence, including firearms, to reconstruct the sequence of events.
Sarah Rice was remembered as a nurturing mother whose devotion to her daughters created a home filled with love and stability. She actively engaged in community life, participating in local events that strengthened neighborhood ties and reflected her commitment to family and friendship. Her presence radiated warmth, encouragement, and a sense of purpose that extended beyond her household to those who shared in her daily life.
Greg Rice, regarded by loved ones as a dedicated husband and father, shared in the responsibilities of raising their daughters. Together, the couple built a life rooted in the everyday rhythms of Lehigh County, balancing school activities, weekend outings, and family traditions that emphasized unity and connection.
Investigators continue to examine potential contributing factors, though no official motive has been disclosed. The case is being handled with sensitivity toward the grieving survivors, as the community rallies to provide support.