Mother of 3 Dead After Making a TikTok®

Joshua Thompson mugshot. Courtesy of Floyd County Jail. Public domain.

Today, it’s commonplace to see people in public or at home filming themselves and posting them on social media. However, the thought that this practice could turn deadly has probably never crossed your mind. But that’s just what happened to Kaitlynn Lee, a 25-year-old mother from Indiana, as she was filming a TikTok^® video in her own home.

A Normal Saturday

Kaitlynn Lee was laughing and lip-syncing while filming with a friend in her kitchen on Saturday morning, Aug. 10. Hearing a knock on her kitchen window, Lee turned and faced her ex-boyfriend, Joshua Thompson, 25. As reported by Fox 10 Phoenix, the friend Lee was filming with said Lee asked, “What are you doing here?” before Thompson allegedly shot her at point-blank range two to three times. The friend told police that right before he shot her friend, she saw Lee’s ex-boyfriend, Joshua Thompson, standing outside the window alone, aiming the gun at Lee.

Toxic Relationship

Friends and family say Lee and Thompson had a toxic relationship. Pamela Greenwell, Lee’s aunt, said her niece had moved three times in four months because of Thompson. She shared with Fox News, “In April of this year, she called me, and he had beat her really badly, and I went and picked her up. And she was blue and black, like all over. He was arrested and brought down here to county jail. They issued an EPO to protect Kaitlynn, but it didn’t protect her. It didn’t protect her.” Regardless of a no-contact order, Thompson told police he wanted to see if there were any men inside Lee’s apartment.

The Aftermath and Charges

Thompson fled the scene of the crime and called his brother, crying. His brother told police that while he was on the phone with him, Thompson confessed to shooting Lee in the head. After this call, Thompson reportedly called 911 and allegedly told the police he had killed the mother of his child and was going to turn himself in. Police swiftly arrested Thompson and charged him with murder. He was detained without bail in the Floyd County Jail.

On Aug. 19, 2024, Thompson had his first court appearance and will face additional charges, including invasion of privacy, criminal recklessness, and unlawful carrying of a handgun. According to the New York Post, a witness told police that Lee had said that, “If she was ever found dead, Joshua killed her,” according to court documents. Chris Lane, Floyd County Prosecutor, said, “We take domestic violence allegations seriously, “And we’re taking them seriously in this case. “Unfortunately, this is not unusual for these allegations and circumstances,” Lane said. “Relationships can lead to tragic results, and, unfortunately, the allegations are that’s what happened.” 

Children Left Behind

Beyond the tragic loss of such a young woman, Lee was the mother of three small children, one of which belonged to her and Thompson; because of this, family and friends have set up a GoFundMe^® page to help with funeral costs and to support the three children, who have now lost their mother. Joshua Thompson was charged with murder, criminal recklessness, invasion of privacy and unlawful carrying of a handgun. He is due in court again in September, 2024 and is being held in Floyd County jail without bail.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, support is available through the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233

References: Young Indiana mom of 3 allegedly killed by ex-boyfriend while filming TikTok with friend: report| Mom of three gunned down while making TikTok - allegedly by ex she predicted might kill her|Docs: 25-year-old New Albany mother was shot to death while making TikTok with friend