Dyer County Murder-Suicide – On Thursday, December 18, 2025, Dyer County, Tennessee, was shaken by a tragic incident in which a 60-year-old woman, identified as Sherry Darlene Lydon, fatally shot her husband and critically injured her adult son in what authorities are describing as an apparent murder-suicide.
Sequence of Events
The violent sequence unfolded in the early morning hours at the family residence in the Lenox area. According to the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office, Lydon first fatally shot her husband, William John Lydon Jr., while he was sleeping. She then turned the firearm on her 24-year-old son, leaving him in critical condition and prompting an immediate law enforcement response.
Following the shootings, Lydon fled the home and drove eastbound in the westbound lanes of Interstate 155, resulting in a head-on collision with an 18-wheeler near Highway 181. Authorities say this maneuver appeared to be an intentional attempt to end her life. Emergency responders transported Lydon to a nearby hospital in critical condition, where she later succumbed to her injuries. Fortunately, the truck driver involved in the crash was unharmed.
Potential Contributing Factors
Investigators are exploring mental health and medical factors that may have contributed to the tragedy. Preliminary reports from the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office suggest that Lydon had recently undergone surgery and was experiencing significant mental health challenges, including night terrors, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Sheriff Jeff Box emphasized that these issues are being carefully considered as law enforcement pieces together the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Authorities have not publicly commented on the motive behind the shootings, citing an ongoing investigation. The surviving son remains hospitalized in critical condition, and family members and neighbors are grappling with the shocking nature of the events.
This tragic case highlights the complex intersections of mental health challenges and family crises. Community members have expressed deep sorrow over the loss of life and the impact on those left behind. Law enforcement continues to gather information and provide support to the victims’ family while seeking answers for the broader community.