A 28-year-old woman was found dead in her Louisiana apartment in a case that authorities are investigating as a possible murder-suicide. Her ex-husband was found shortly after with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The victim was identified as Meridian Thomas Woodson, a 28-year-old beautician and mother of two young girls, who was found dead Thursday in her apartment in Elmwood, Louisiana.

According to the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to the scene after receiving a report of a disturbance. Upon entering the home they found the woman dead.

Shortly after, investigators located a vehicle linked to the case in a nearby parking lot. Inside was Kody Woodson, 30, the victim's ex-husband, with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Authorities have not officially released Meridian's cause of death or announced definitive findings in the case, which remains under investigation.

A court dispute over the custody of the daughters

According to court documents, the ex-couple had a legal dispute over the custody of their daughters, ages 4 and 7.

Both had a court hearing scheduled for June 18 as part of the process.

The files show that the legal conflict had spanned several years and that both parties had made mutual accusations related to episodes of domestic violence.

In documents filed during the divorce proceedings, Meridian claimed that her ex-husband had used physical and psychological violence on several occasions.

Among the allegations is an alleged incident that occurred after she expressed her intention to divorce in January 2024. She also claimed that, during another argument, she heard the characteristic sound of a gun being prepared before finding Kody armed inside the apartment.

Court records also include statements attributed to the man during an argument, in which he allegedly blamed the victim for the episodes of violence.

For his part, Kody Woodson denied many of the accusations and presented his own allegations in court.

In his judicial response he stated that Meridian had a history of violent behavior towards him and cited an episode that occurred in February 2024, when she was arrested after a domestic dispute that occurred in front of the two girls.

The woman later maintained that she acted in self-defense and argued that the evidence presented against her had been taken out of context.

Shock among family and friends

Meridian's death has caused consternation among family and friends.

A fundraising campaign organized after the event describes her as a person loved by those around her and highlights her close relationship with her extended family.

“Meridian was a light in everyone's lives,” notes the initiative, which also remembers her as a maternal figure for many of her 23 siblings.

While the investigation continues, the authorities have not revealed additional information about the situation of the two minors or the preliminary results of the investigations.