Army veteran accused of murdering service dog commits suicide nine days before trial
WARNING, DISTRESSING CONTENT: US police are investigating the suspected suicide of a female army veteran just one month after she filmed herself shooting her service dog.
Marinna Rollins 23, and her boyfriend Jarren Heng were charged with cruelty to animals after they filmed themselves patting the two-year-old pit bull named Huey before allegedly tying him to a tree in the woods and shooting him multiple times.
Cumberland County District Attorney Clarke Reaves said the pair could be heard laughing as they poke the dog’s body with the barrel of the gun, Rollins is then seen shooting it.
It is alleged that Heng also shot the dog five times in quick succession afterwards.
After the video surfaced on Facebook, the pair were promptly charged and were due to reappear before the court on May 16.
Nine days before their hearing, Rollins, who reportedly suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following her army service, died in what local authorities believe was a suicide.
Huey belonged to her estranged husband Matt Dyer, who is on deployment and said that he had thought Rollins would benefit from the dog's company.
“I felt like her having to take care of Huey would be good for her and would be good for Huey," Dyer told CBS.
After having it registered as a service dog, Rollins renamed the dog Camboui.
Rollins posted a message on Facebook that implied the dog was being rehomed.
“Great last day with the pooch! Sad he has to go, but he will be much happier where he is heading off to,” Rollins wrote.
Animal rights activists took to Facebook, demanding “justice for Cam”.
Heng’s court appearance is expected to go ahead.
Readers seeking support and information about suicide prevention can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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