A bereaved Texas father is speaking out after his wife shot and killed their 3-year-old son before taking her own life amid a bitter custody battle. The bodies of Savannah Kriger and 3-year-old Kaiden were found in a drainage ditch in San Antonio’s Tom Slick Park on March 19. Brian Kriger, the father, shared a chilling text message he received from his wife that said “say goodbye to your son,” along with screenshots of the heartbreaking exchange. The incident occurred shortly after Brian had filed for divorce, prompting fears that Savannah was planning to flee with their son.
In the hours leading up to the tragic event, Savannah sent the disturbing text message to her husband, indicating her intention to take drastic action. She then proceeded to destroy property in their home, leading Brian to call the police. After a confrontation via FaceTime, during which Savannah made accusations against Brian, she and Kaiden disappeared. Brian frantically tried to get his son back, fearing for his safety due to Savannah’s erratic behavior. However, law enforcement’s response was limited to a welfare check, which ultimately failed to prevent the tragedy that followed.
The next morning, an Amber Alert was issued for Kaiden, but it was already too late. Investigators later found Savannah’s vehicle abandoned at a park, and their bodies were discovered in a drainage ditch. The child’s death was ruled a homicide by the medical examiner. Brian Kriger remembered his son as a loving and vibrant child, expressing deep sorrow over his loss. The incident has raised questions about the family court system’s handling of custody disputes and concerns over bias towards mothers over fathers, as well as the failure to consider the safety of the child involved.
Savannah had obtained a restraining order against Brian at the time of the murder-suicide, and their custody dispute was scheduled to be resolved in court. Brian believes that the judge overseeing their case was aware of Savannah’s mental health struggles, including suicidal thoughts, yet did not prioritize the safety of their son in the decision-making process. Despite claims that Savannah had concealed her mental health issues, Brian emphasized the need for more awareness and support for individuals facing similar challenges.
As the community grapples with the aftermath of this devastating incident, there are calls for greater attention to mental health issues and domestic violence prevention. Experts point to the level of despair that Savannah must have experienced, underscoring the importance of providing support for individuals who may be facing similar struggles. While the full picture of what led to the tragedy may never be fully known, the focus is now on supporting those affected by the loss and addressing systemic issues within the family court system to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
