Kailee Jo McMullen was a bubbly former cheerleader who loved animals and “cherished her family.” She dreamed of becoming a firefighter.
Everything went terribly wrong on the morning of June 29. Authorities are now accusing Kailee’s father, Ronald McMullen, of first-degree murder in connection with her death.
The Norman, Oklahoma 22-year-old EMT perished at home from a gunshot wound to the head, and her father, a search warrant alleged, was partially covered in blood when police arrived.
In some court documents, Kailee’s name is given as Kailee Jo Hooker, which is her mother’s maiden name.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Ronald McMullen Is Accused of First-Degree Murder in Connection With Kailee’s Death
Kailee Jo McMullen.
Police responded at about 5:45 a.m. June 29 to a reported shooting at a home in Norman. “Upon arrival, officers found Kailee suffered an apparent gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene,” reported The Norman Transcript.
Ronald McMullen called 911 and reported that Kailee shot herself, according to CBS News.
The father was not arrested until July 5. “Ronald was booked into the Cleveland County Detention Center on a complaint of first-degree murder,” the newspaper reported. Authorities have not released any further details.
KFOR-TV reported that Kailee died from a gunshot wound to the head, and Ronald Lee McMullen, Jr. is her biological father. Authorities believe the death is “suspicious,” reported the television station, although the medical examiner has yet to determine the cause of death.
However, a search warrant affidavit obtained by KFOR alleged that, when authorities arrived at the scene, they found Ronald McMullen “covered in blood and (he) even had blood under the tank top he was wearing.”
“When you listen to the 911 call, the father states that she shot herself. The evidence that was collected from the scene and as we’ve worked through the initial investigation, that’s when the death became suspicious. We didn’t feel like the things that we were able to gain from the scene connected the story that was told,” Sarah Jensen, of the Norman Police Department, told News 9.
2. Kailee Was a Former Cheerleading Co-Captain Who Worked at a Plasma Company & Her Father Is Accused of Trying to Wipe Blood Off Himself at the Crime Scene
FacebookKailee Jo McMullen.
Kailee Jo’s Facebook page says she worked at CSL Plasma and Petsmart and was a former server at Legends Steakhouse. She attended Norman High School North and lived in Norman, Oklahoma, where she was from.
According to her obituary, Kailee had a natural talent for cheerleading.
“At age eight Kailee joined Oklahoma Twisters All Stars cheerleading and soon discovered that she had a natural talent for the sport. She traveled all over the country, competing at cheer competitions including Cheerleading Worlds in Orlando, Fla.,” the obituary said.
“She started school cheer in eighth grade and cheered through high school. During her senior year she served as a Varsity co-captain, leading her squad to win the 201213 6A state title. Kailee grew up in Norman, graduating from Norman North High School in 2013.”
The search warrant affidavit presents a series of disturbing details about what happened when police arrived at the crime scene.
According to KFOR, it alleges that officers asked Ronald McMullen what happened but he allegedly “gave officers a blank stare and told them that he didn’t know where the gun was.” Officers believed the body and gun had been moved before they arrived, the television station reported.
“Officers had to physically restrain McMullen from wiping blood from his hands,” the affidavit alleged, according to KFOR. “After pictures were taken, Ronald McMullen lay down in the dirt, and began covering himself in dirt while rubbing the shoes he was wearing (also covered in blood) on the concrete entryway,” it said.
According to UK Daily Mail, Kailee’s mother and Ronald’s wife, Karen Hooker McMullen, was giving Kailee CPR when police arrived. “Kailee’s body was in the home’s entryway, and a blood-splattered .357 revolver was found on a side table,” reported UK Daily Mail.
UK Daily Mail reported that court documents allege that Kailie “had been living at home on and off prior to her death, but had a deeply unhappy relationship with her father, friends told police. They told officers that in April McMullen had slapped her until her mother pulled a gun on him to make him stop.”
There were also other allegations of alleged abuse, according the court documents, which were obtained by The Oklahoman.
3. Kailee Attended Bible College & Earned an EMT Certificate
Kailee Jo McMullen.
Kailee briefly left Oklahoma after high school to attend Bible college in Baton Rouge, La., her obit says.
Upon returning to Norman, she earned her EMT certificate, according to the obituary. In addition to working for the Plasma company, at the time of her death, she worked as an EMT with Norman Regional EMSSTAT.
A woman who donated money to a GoFundMe site established in Kailee’s name wrote, “Kailee was one of our most outstanding EMT students. She was always willing to help without being asked, was sensitive to the needs of others, and had the brightest smile. We will miss her greatly.”
Kailee was also remembered for loving a menagerie of animals.
“Kailee had a passion for helping people and loved animals. Over the years she owned many pets: Mackey, a tri-color border collie that she loved to take to the dog park; Jack, a pug; Shady, a cat; and many hermit crabs, mice and rats. Kailee had a passion for helping people and loved animals. Over the years she owned many pets: Mackey, a tri-color border collie that she loved to take to the dog park; Jack, a pug; Shady, a cat; and many hermit crabs, mice and rats,” the obituary reads.
4. Kailee Was Remembered for Her Bubbly Personality & ‘Cherished Her Family’
The McMullen family.
Kailee had “a zest for life and a bubbly personality, was quick witted, and had a quirky sense of humor,” the obit recalled.
“She loved music, no matter the kind, and hanging out with her friends. Always the entertainer, she loved making people laugh and was famous for the elaborate costumes she would put together when the occasion arose. Kailee cherished her family and always had time for them. She was strong in her faith and grew up attending Goodrich Memorial United Methodist Church. Kailee was a good and loyal friend, and all who knew her were better for it.”
Kailee McMullen with her parents.
Kailee’s father, Ronald, is listed in the obit, which was published days before his arrest.
5. Kailee’s Mother Praised Ronald on Father’s Day
A post on Kailee’s mother’s page.
Not that long ago, Kailee’s mother wrote on Facebook alongside a photo of Ronald and another man, “Happy Father’s Day to these amazing dads…Ronnie thanks for all of your love and support … I love you so much.”
The McMullen family.
Her mother also posted a series of throwback photos on Facebook that appear to show a happy family and a long-term marriage. According to the obit, Kailee was an only child, and her funeral was scheduled for July 7.