Friends of Jonathon Candy family reflect on their passions, character amid 'unimaginable' deadly shooting
Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.
If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
YUKON, OKLAHOMA: Neighbors and friends of the Oklahoma family involved in a murder-suicide are still grappling with the tragic news, trying to comprehend what happened.
Jonathon Candy fatally shot his wife, Lindsay Candy, aged 39, and their three sons, Dylan Candy, aged 18, Ethan Candy, aged 14, and Lucas Candy, aged 12, before taking his own life with a gun on April 22, according to Oklahoma City police.
Remarkably, Jonathon left his 10-year-old son unharmed, who promptly alerted 911 upon discovering his deceased family members.
Police investigations revealed no prior calls to the residence nor reports of domestic violence.
Additionally, there were no signs of struggle, and the firearm was discovered atop Jonathon.
What did Sgt Gary Knight report on Jonathon Candy’s murder-suicide?
As per The Oklahoman, Master Sgt Gary Knight stated on Friday that the police have concluded their investigation and do not anticipate releasing any further details.
However, the chief medical examiner's office will determine the definitive cause and manner of death for each individual.
These autopsy reports may require several weeks or even months to finalize.
Michael Burcham, a 68-year-old neighbor of the family, expressed disbelief along with others in the neighborhood regarding the tragic events.
He found it difficult to fathom that the family would no longer reside in the home at the cul-de-sac's end.
Rhonda Armstrong, who has known the family for three years since Ethan joined her husband's baseball team with Mustang Youth Sports, described them as beacons of positivity.
Armstrong reminisced, "Every time I went over to that house, or they came over to my house, it was just smiling and laughing, could have the worst day at work and completely forget about my troubles the second I saw their smiles ... (They were) the most kindest, sweetest, best people I've ever known in my whole life."
Who was Lindsay Candy?
Lindsay Candy grew up in Prague, Oklahoma, according to her Facebook page and a post from a childhood friend, Kami Cruz.
Cruz and Lindsay "sang side by side in church" growing up, and attended school together until graduating in 2002.
There was one Sunday, Cruz wrote, she and Lindsay were hiding in the treehouse and fell asleep.
No one could find them, despite them being right in Lindsay's backyard, and the cops were eventually called. "Long story short, our parents laughed, we didn’t get in trouble and continued making memories ever since," Cruz said.
Cruz and Lindsay shared a friendship that always picked up where it left off, and hearing the news of the Candy family's death has been "devastating" and "unimaginable" for Cruz, she said.
"I have been without words for so many hours, without tears because I don’t know how to process this," Cruz wrote.
"You were so loved! You were so special to so many people! Loved fiercely by your boys! Brought laughter to every conversation, and even more so with “the girls”! Your sisters best friend and light in your Mom and Dads life!"
Rhonda and Lindsay grew close as they cheered on their sons in baseball, and she said Lindsay cheered the loudest of them all. "She was the type of person that would give you the shirt off of her back," Rhonda said.
"She loved so hard, and she was so kind ... She treated my son like her own, and there was never any question or doubt if she loved Cooper any less than Ethan. That was just the type of mom and person that she was, she just loved with her entire heart."
What did the Little League coach say about Dylan Candy?
According to Ethan's Little League coach, TJ Armstrong, Dylan Candy, the eldest of four boys, took on a protective role, ensuring his brother Ethan never missed baseball practice and rarely missed a game.
Described as "an incredible young man with a big heart" by his middle school choir teacher Becky Young Horton, Dylan graduated from Mustang High School in May 2023. In the fall semester, he joined Oklahoma Baptist University's Bison Brigade marching band as the first bass drum player.
Despite being a freshman and not the section leader, Dylan was chosen for the challenging first bass drum role due to his impressive skills, as stated by Brian Stackhouse, OBU's director of athletic bands.
Stackhouse praised Dylan, "He was very happy all the time. If he had a rough day, he would still be (friendly) to everybody ... He was a great example of working through hard situations, perseverance, and dedicating themselves to something greater, a team and always showing up and doing his absolute best. And we all look up to him for that.”
Dylan was passionate about music and drumming, and he easily made friends within the band.
Stackhouse added, “That's one of the things he was looking for, was an outlet to gain friends and to continue his love of music.”
One memorable moment for Dylan was during band camp in August 2023 when he discovered he had a solo in the drumline cadence.
Stackhouse fondly recalled Dylan's excitement and joy ”And then he couldn't sit still after that ... he was just so excited and giddy about it. It's one of those moments that teachers and coaches store away in their hearts and memories”
After learning of Dylan’s death, Stackhouse offered support to his band students and plans to retire Dylan's bass drum and uniform while organizing a memorial in the band department's area on campus.
Who was Ethan Candy?
The Candy family dedicated countless hours to baseball practices and games, with Ethan actively participating in Mustang Youth Sports from his early T-ball days until his untimely passing.
Described by coaches as "an amazing kid who could lighten any mood," Ethan left a lasting impression on those around him.
Armstrong's son Cooper Armstrong, Ethan's close friend and teammate, forged a strong bond with him on the baseball field.
According to Armstrong, the duo's camaraderie was evident, earning them the nickname "twins" due to their inseparable connection.
Ethan's coach, TJ Armstrong, affectionately referred to him as "my sweet little Candyman," praising his ability to uplift the team with his infectious positivity.
Ethan's presence brightened every room and brought joy to his teammates, including TJ Armstrong's son.
The team is currently coordinating efforts to install a memorial bench in Ethan's honor at the Mustang Youth Sports complex. Despite being in ninth grade at Mustang High School, Ethan's impact extended far beyond the baseball field.
Deceased Lucas Candy is strongly remembered as ‘whip kid’
The second youngest among the Candy brothers, Lucas, was a sixth-grader attending Meadow Brook Intermediate School.
Affectionately known as Luke, he could often be found playing with the younger siblings of baseball players during practices and games, according to Armstrong.
Armstrong fondly remembered observing them running around the bleachers, “You'd constantly see them just running up and down the bleachers, and throwing the ball to each other, and playing in the dirt, just being kids and being happy, that's all I ever seen him be was just this happy, kind, smart as a whip kid.”
TJ Armstrong described Jonathon Candy as a ‘great guy’
TJ Armstrong described Jonathon Candy as a "great guy". When they first met, Jonathon shook Armstrong's hand so hard it felt like something from a cartoon.
Jonathon was always grateful and hugged Armstrong often, thanking him for everything.
According to Dan Mahoney, the vice president of broadcasting and corporate communications for the OKC Thunder, Jonathon worked part-time as a game night engineer for the Oklahoma City Thunder, the city's NBA team.
Jonathon's neighbor, Burcham, only had good things to say about him. Burcham knew Jonathon for several years and said Jonathon was always helping others. He fixed Burcham's car and lawnmower and helped another neighbor with their ceiling fans.
Burcham and Jonathon enjoyed flying drones together, and Burcham considered Jonathon a friend.
Burcham never saw or heard of any problems between Jonathon and his wife, Lindsay.
However, Burcham knew that both he and Jonathon struggled with depression.
Burcham believed Jonathon must have been going through a really tough time.
He admitted that he and others might never know what led to the family's tragic end.
TJ Armstrong expressed his love for the Candys and said he would miss them greatly.
He urged everyone to remember the family for their positive memories, especially for the surviving child.
