Authorities are investigating the killing of a lady who ran a well-liked Illinois pet salon after she was found dead at her home.
Law enforcement officials called to a welfare check at Sadie L. Tull’s residence in Carlyle on Tuesday, March 3, discovered she had been killed by a “single gunshot,” based on the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis.
The organization, which is made up of investigators from multiple jurisdictions, gets activated “when a serious crime occurs,” based on the Major Case Squad’s website.
Following the invention of Tull’s body, Carlyle Police Chief Jason Herzig requested the squad’s activation, the Major Case Squad said in an initial news release on March 3.
Major Case Squad detectives have received and pursued greater than 63 leads in reference to Tull’s death, the organization said in a Wednesday, March 4 news release.
Authorities had not indicated whether a suspect has been identified in connection together with her fatal shooting as of the afternoon of March 4.
Tull, 41, was generally known as a neighborhood dog groomer who ran Furfetti Pet Salon, a business based out of her Carlyle home, her family and neighbors told KSDK. Carlyle is a few 50-mile drive east from St. Louis, Missouri.
In line with neighbors, two of Tull’s dogs were also fatally shot, the outlet reported.
“Sadie and her two dogs were taken from us far too soon by an unknown assailant,” reads a GoFundMe page created in support of Tull’s funeral costs.
Lieutenant Andrew W. Pierson, of the Alton Police Department, who’s the Major Case Squad’s deputy commander and public information officer, didn’t confirm whether two of Tull’s dogs had been killed when contacted by Us Weekly on Thursday, March 5.
Pierson said more information on the investigation may be released on March 5.
Within the meantime, the Major Case Squad is asking on the general public for assist in reference to Tull’s death.
“Investigators are asking anyone who had contact with Tull in the times leading as much as her death, or who has any information regarding this incident, to return forward,” the squad said on March 4.
A possible motive for Tull’s killing is unclear.
Tull was described as “a fiercely independent woman, a talented dog groomer and artist, and above all, a beloved daughter, sister, and aunt” within the GoFundMe page.
“She poured her love into her work and her family, especially her brothers and nieces, and was known for her deep compassion for animals,” the page says. “Her two dogs were her constant companions, and her creativity and kindness touched everyone who knew her.”
The Major Case Squad is asking anyone with information on Tull’s death to call the organization’s command post at (618) 594-2451 or Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).