A community in Indiana is wondering how a once-supportive partner became a drunken and enraged husband who took the life of his wife and himself, and attempted to kill their daughter as well. Brandy Manville, 46, once publicly thanked her husband for his presence during her battle with breast cancer.
But sadly, that side of her husband, Charles Manville, didn’t tell the full story of their relationship. Over the Thanksgiving holiday, Charles Manville reportedly fatally shot himself and his wife, and injured their 21-year-old daughter, Hayleigh Manville.
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On Friday, November 29, 2024, the couple’s daughter called 911 to report a domestic disturbance at their home in Portage, Indiana.
“It was called in initially as a ‘verbal disturbance’ and escalated from there,” Portage Police Chief Michael Candiano told People. The young woman told the operator that her father was “intoxicated and throwing items inside the house.”
Eventually, he grabbed a gun. Operators could hear him threaten the members of his household, saying they were all going to die.
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By the time police arrived, Charles Manville had already opened fire. Both Charles and Brandy Manville were found dead. Their daughter was transported to the hospital, a statement from the Portage police confirmed.
Brandy Manville, who was an administrative assistant at Portage High School, was interviewed in 2019 by Portage Life about her journey with breast cancer. She spoke about the support of her family and said her husband supported her during her darkest times. “As a woman, it’s hard to lose your hair,” Brandy Manville said. “Never once did I feel less loved. My family was awesome throughout my cancer journey. I was lucky to have them as a support system.”
Hayleigh Manville is one of the couple’s two children. Their son Ethan Manville was not at the residence at the time of the shooting, the statement read. At this time, Hayleigh Manville has not been able to provide a statement and a motive for the incident remains unknown.
As the Portage police extended their condolences to the family and community, they also wished Hayleigh Manville a speedy recovery. “Our latest update is that she remains hospitalized in stable condition but with serious and life-threatening injuries,” the statement read.
In the days after the incident, Olivia Chelich, a family friend, has launched a GoFundMe to support both Hayleigh and Ethan Manville. “Unfortunately, Brandy was taken from us way too soon in a senseless act of domestic violence that none of us will ever be able to comprehend or recover from,” Chelich wrote. “Our hearts are broken, and we will forever have a hole in our hearts. Now her daughter has the fight of her life ahead of her. Hayleigh was also involved and struck three times and is currently in the ICU in critical but stable condition.”
At the time of publication, Chelich has raised just over $49,000 of her $125,000 goal. Chelich noted that the donations will help pay medical expenses and support the children as they live without their parents.
Note: If you or any of your loved ones are struggling with suicidal thoughts, you can always reach out to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling 988. They are available 24/7 by phone or online chat.
