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'Compassion is the remedy for anger': Maryville mother shares thoughts after her son was killed in apparent murder-suicide

Miranda Reagan wrote "this was mental illness" and asked friends and family not to hate her husband.

MARYVILLE, Tenn. — The mother of the 8-year-old boy killed on Monday in what Maryville Police are calling an apparent murder-suicide took to Facebook to share her thoughts during this heartbreaking time.

Miranda Reagan wrote "this was mental illness" and asked friends and family not to hate her husband, James Reagan, who was found in a bed with their son, Clark, with gunshot wounds in their Savannah Village home. 

According to court filings in Blount County, the mother had filed for divorce back in January. In the filings, she said she was concerned her husband was misusing medication.

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"Compassion is the remedy for anger," she wrote in the post.

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Reagan offers a reflection on motherhood, saying "it's Jesus and that's all...not how many veggies your kid ate or if you had them doing daily devotions or any of the other items we try to the good-mom checklist."

Credit: Miranda Reagan

She also thanks the community for all the hugs and messages, saying "love has held me up."

She says she is "crushed" and "afraid to go to sleep" because she has to remember all over again when she wakes up. 

RELATED: 'His smiling face was a ray of sunshine' | Community remembers 8-year-old killed in murder-suicide

However, she ends by leaning into her faith, acknowledging that Clark is in a better place and asking for continued prayer.

Clark's family say they are thankful for the support they've received from the community.

"This is a time of unimaginable grief as we process the passing of our beloved Clark Riley Reagan," his family said. "He was a beautiful and joyful boy, and our lives were so blessed by him. We are devastated and heartbroken, but we take comfort in knowing that he is with Jesus now. Our journey forward will begin with a celebration of life."

Services for Clark have been set for June 13 at Faith Promise Church. In lieu of flowers, people are asked to make donations to Escuela Padre Juan José Zugarramurdi II de El Viñedo, a school in great need in Venezuela. You can use the website https://samaritanhands.org/donate/ and specify the donation is for Clark Reagan. Samaritan Hands will make the donations in Clark’s memory.

To send flowers or a remembrance gift to the family of Clark Reagan, please visit our Tribute Store.

 

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