ST. LOUIS, MO — A horrific act of violence has shaken the St. Louis community after authorities say a Missouri man, Vanier T. Jones, brutally murdered a pregnant mother in front of her children. The victim, 35-year-old Christina Lynn Rentchler, was fatally shot in the head on the afternoon of April 23, allegedly by Jones, who is now facing a litany of serious charges.
According to a probable cause affidavit obtained by PEOPLE, the devastating incident unfolded in front of five children, including Rentchler’s four daughters, when Jones allegedly approached them and asked where their mother was. Seconds later, witnesses say he pulled out a gun and executed Rentchler in front of the children, shooting her multiple times, including in the back of the head.
When officers with the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (SLMPD) arrived on the scene, they found Rentchler unresponsive. Emergency responders pronounced her and her unborn child dead on-site. The medical examiner later determined that Rentchler had been in her second trimester.
In a tragic twist, another woman, who had also been shot by Jones, miraculously survived. According to police reports and the affidavit, she was conscious and breathing when first responders arrived. The woman—who remains unnamed—reportedly pretended to be dead after being shot by Jones, a move that may have saved her life.
She told investigators that Jones had been staying with her and became enraged before opening fire. After shooting her, he allegedly turned to Rentchler’s children and asked where their mother was—before committing the fatal shooting.
Jones, who has an extensive criminal history, had multiple prior felony convictions, including a 2023 second-degree assault conviction. At the time of the homicide, he had also absconded from federal supervised release, according to the affidavit.
He is now being held without bond and faces a total of 17 charges, including:
- 2 counts of first-degree murder (for both Rentchler and her unborn child)
- 1 count of attempted murder
- 5 counts of endangering the welfare of a child
- 8 counts of armed criminal action
- 1 count of unlawful possession of a firearm
His next court appearance is scheduled for May 12, and he currently does not have legal representation on record.
The murder of Christina Rentchler and her unborn child has sparked an outpouring of grief and outrage in the community. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to support her surviving daughters, who now face life without their mother.
“Christina was a dedicated, loving mother,” one organizer wrote on the fundraising page. “Her children witnessed unimaginable horror. We are rallying around them now to give them every resource and bit of comfort we can.”
Jones’ actions have not only left a family shattered but have also drawn attention to the terrifying lengths to which domestic violence can escalate. The violence experienced by Rentchler’s children has created a ripple effect, with the community rallying to provide for the children’s needs in the wake of such a devastating loss.
The circumstances surrounding the crime have left many questioning how such an atrocity could unfold in a moment of seemingly senseless rage. While law enforcement continues to piece together the details, they have confirmed that Jones’ actions appear to have been fueled by anger, violence, and a disregard for human life.
“This is an unspeakable tragedy,” said one St. Louis community member. “What happened here is a nightmare, and our hearts go out to Christina’s family. We will continue to support the children and demand justice for Christina and her unborn child.”
As the investigation progresses, the focus is now on holding Vanier T. Jones accountable for his violent actions and ensuring that the surviving family members receive the support they need to heal from the horrors they’ve witnessed.
While there is no clear answer to what led to this senseless act of violence, it is clear that the community will not rest until justice is served for Christina Rentchler and her family. Authorities continue to investigate the full circumstances surrounding the incident, and the public remains hopeful that those responsible will face the full weight of the law.
The St. Louis community, shaken by this unimaginable loss, has rallied around the survivors, and the tragedy has sparked conversations about the importance of supporting victims of domestic violence and the lasting impact such crimes have on families.
