Trauma diagnostics, autopsy analysis, and mental health crisis response are now central to the investigation.
In a GoFundMe set up by Emily Lunden, that claims to be on behalf of the victim’s sisters, they wrote that “Nicole was tragically taken away from us by the man she had loved for over half of her life. This has broken all of us beyond words. That is all I will say on that matter.”
She went on to add that due to their 20-year relationship, “all of her financials were tied up in his.” The statement highlighted a significant gap in life insurance coverage, estate planning, and spousal financial protection, which often leaves families in financial distress following unexpected loss.
They wrote that they are seeking to raise funds “to give her a service that she deserved, celebrating her kindness, her happiness, and her unwavering love.”
Pregnancy and Legal Fallout
CCTV footage reviewed by detectives showed the suspect leaving her apartment at approximately 6 a.m. on Wednesday. After Nicole’s death, police believe that Kevin drove in his car four miles across town to the apartment of his girlfriend Cindel Mae Rhoden, 33 (above left), who was pregnant with his child. There, he purportedly shot and killed her, and then himself.
Her pregnancy, estimated at five months, adds layers of complexity involving prenatal care, unborn victim laws, and potentially OB-GYN malpractice concerns if any earlier signs of distress were missed. The implications may bring in birth injury law specialists or wrongful death legal services due to the nature of the case.
