In Loving Memory of Latrece Shanna Harper Pontiac, Michigan
The community of Pontiac is mourning a devastating tragedy that has left a family shattered and a community heartbroken. On October 30, 2025, 33-year-old Latrece Shanna Harper was found deceased in her home on South Marshall Street. Authorities have confirmed that this heartbreaking loss occurred in what officials are calling an apparent murder-suicide involving her longtime partner of ten years, 41-year-old Clifford Torrell Noel Jr.
Latrece’s passing is one that resonates deeply with those who knew her. She was a loving mother, a joyful spirit, and someone who carried her heart on her sleeve. Her presence filled rooms with warmth, laughter, and care. Family members, friends, and neighbors remember her as a woman who worked hard for her family, who loved deeply, and who always tried to build a loving home for those around her. She was a mother of five, and those who knew her say that her children were her greatest gift and priority.
It was her stepdaughter who discovered her at home that evening, a moment that forever changed the lives of everyone connected to this family. Authorities reported that Latrece had suffered a fatal gunshot wound. Moments later, officers in Bloomfield Township arrived at a separate location, where Clifford was found in his vehicle, having taken his own life. Sadly, what began as a relationship of love and companionship ended in tragedy, leaving behind a void that cannot be filled.
Together, the couple leaves behind five children, ranging in age from four to fifteen. In what can only be described as a small grace in the midst of heartbreak, the children were found physically unharmed at a motel in Rochester Hills. Child Protective Services has since intervened to arrange care and support for their future. The emotional impact of such a loss, however, is immeasurable.
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard spoke to the gravity of the situation, stating,
“It breaks my heart when relationships turn violent. If you’re in an abusive one, get help. There are people and groups ready to guide you to safety.”
These words serve as a solemn reminder of the importance of recognizing signs of emotional or physical harm within relationships. For many, violence does not begin with one moment—it builds silently, often hidden behind closed doors. And far too often, it ends in tragedy.
Today, family and friends are holding onto their memories of Latrece: the smiles she wore, the hopes she carried, the love she poured into her children. They remember her as a mother, a daughter, a sister, and a friend—someone whose life had meaning, whose story mattered, and whose absence leaves a space that will never be the same.
As the children and family begin the long journey of healing, the community stands beside them in love, sympathy, and support.
May Latrece Shanna Harper rest peacefully, and may this tragedy remind us all to show compassion, look out for one another, and speak up when love turns into harm.
If you or someone you know is experiencing relationship violence, please reach out. There is help. There is hope.
