In a shocking incident last week, a former high school bowling coach in Michigan took the life of a recent graduate before ending his own life in a tragic murder-suicide. Ryne Leist, who previously coached the bowling club at Bedford High School, fatally shot 17-year-old Gwendolyn Smith multiple times in her stepfather’s Bedford Township home on June 14, according to the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office.
Upon returning home around 6 p.m., Smith’s stepfather discovered the horrifying scene. Sheriff Troy Goodnough shared the grim details during a press conference on Wednesday. The circumstances surrounding Leist’s entry into the home remain under investigation, with officials yet to disclose whether he broke in or was allowed entry.
Bedford Public School Superintendent Carl Shultz expressed his sorrow over the loss of Smith, a 2025 graduate of Bedford School. In a Facebook post, Shultz described Smith as an “extraordinary young woman” whose impact on the school community was profound and lasting.
The Monroe County medical examiner’s office ruled Smith’s death a homicide, while Leist’s death was determined to be a suicide. The nature of the relationship between Smith and her former coach remains unclear. Sheriff Goodnough stated that Smith did not view their relationship as romantic.
Leist was associated with the public school’s bowling club through a local bowling alley and was not an employee of the school district. He had recently resigned from his position at the bowling alley. Despite the tragic incident, Leist had passed all necessary background checks for youth coaches in Michigan, according to Shultz.
Smith’s stepparents paid a heartfelt tribute to the teenager. Her stepmother, Heather Smith, expressed her grief over the loss of her “kind, talented” stepdaughter. Smith’s stepfather, Matthew Kennerson, had celebrated her high school graduation just two weeks prior to her death with a touching social media post. Following the tragic incident, he expressed his sorrow and regret for not being able to protect her.
Shultz remembered Smith as a gifted student, a passionate artist, and a standout athlete. He emphasized the profound impact of her loss on the Bedford community and extended his condolences to her family and friends. In an effort to support Smith’s family, Shultz initiated a GoFundMe campaign that has raised over $18,000 for Smith’s mother.