Authorities are investigating the killing of a woman who ran a popular Illinois pet salon after she was found dead at her home.
Police officers 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,” according to 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,” according to the Major Case Squad’s website.
Following the discovery 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 more than 63 leads in connection with 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 with her fatal shooting as of the afternoon of March 4.
Tull, 41, was known as a local dog groomer who ran Furfetti Pet Salon, a business based out of her Carlyle home, her family and neighbors told KSDK. Carlyle is about a 50-mile drive east from St. Louis, Missouri.
According to 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 is the Major Case Squad’s deputy commander and public information officer, did not 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 might be released on March 5.
In the meantime, the Major Case Squad is calling on the public for help in connection with Tull’s death.
“Investigators are asking anyone who had contact with Tull in the days leading up to her death, or who has any information regarding this incident, to come forward,” the squad said on March 4.
A potential 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” in 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).
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