February 24, 2025 — HARVARD, Neb. — We’re learning more about the circumstances that led an apparent attempted murder-suicide in south-central Nebraska.

Court documents show that 35-year-old Heather Gray filed for divorce from 39-year-old Toby Gray on Thursday. Nebraska State Patrol investigators say Toby shot and killed Heather on Friday before shooting himself. He is currently receiving care at a Lincoln hospital after suffering life-threatening injuries.

The divorce filing said Heather believed there was no reasonable likelihood that the marriage could be preserved.

“There has been a breakdown in the marriage relationship of the parties to the extent that the marriage is irretrievably broken; efforts of the parties at reconciliation have wholly failed; further attempts at reconciliation would be fruitless…” the legal complaint said.

The couple had three kids born between the years 2018 and 2022. In the divorce filing, Heather claimed to be the proper person to be awarded temporary and permanent legal and physical care of the children. The filing claimed that Toby should be excluded form the couple’s home and that he could be at risk of disturbing the peace of the family.

State troopers arrested Toby on Monday for first-degree murder and a weapons violation. He remains in the hospital.

— 2/23/25 —

HARVARD, Neb. — Authorities are investigating a suspected murder-suicide in rural south-central Nebraska.

It happened around 8:30 Friday night at a home 15 miles south of Aurora in rural Clay County. Officials with the Nebraska State Patrol say they believe 39-year-old Toby Gray shot his wife, 35-year-old Heather Gray, and then shot himself. Heather died from a gunshot wound. A medical helicopter flew Toby to a Lincoln hospital with life-threatening injuries. He remains in critical condition.

A State Patrol news release says three young children were in the house but weren’t injured. Authorities placed took them into protective care and placed them with family.

The Nebraska State Patrol is leading the investigation.