The Major Case Squad says it has chased more than 60 leads and wants more tips.
CARLYLE, Ill. — Neighbors in this small Clinton County city say they are still stunned after police found a well-known dog groomer dead inside her home during a Tuesday morning welfare check, a killing that also left her two dogs dead, according to community accounts. The Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis is leading the investigation into the death of 41-year-old Sadie L. Tull.
The case has drawn an unusually large law enforcement response for Carlyle, a community where residents say violent crime is rare and familiar routines often go unchanged for years. Investigators say Tull was found with a single gunshot wound and they are asking anyone who had contact with her in the days before her death to share what they know. With no arrest announced, detectives are working to tighten a timeline and learn who last saw her alive.
Police said officers went to Tull’s home in the 2100 block of Fairfax Street on Tuesday morning for a welfare check and found her dead inside. Investigators later said she had been shot once in the head. Carlyle Police Chief Herzing requested help from the Major Case Squad of Greater St. Louis, and the regional unit began coordinating interviews, evidence collection, and follow-up work as the home and surrounding area were treated as a crime scene.
Neighbors said the property was familiar to many pet owners because it was also the site of Tull’s business, a grooming shop called Furfetti. On most days, residents said, there was a steady rhythm: customers arriving with leashes and carriers, dogs barking from cars, and the quick greetings that come with small-town errands. That pattern broke abruptly as police vehicles arrived, officers put up tape, and investigators moved in and out of the residence while residents gathered at corners and driveways to watch.
One neighbor, Dale Nordike, said the news hit hard partly because it felt so out of character for the street. “Don’t get me wrong, we have things happen out here, but nothing like this,” Nordike said. He described Tull as quiet but friendly, and said he sometimes helped her with chores around the house. “Well, a lot of people were stunned by this,” he said. “It’s just a sad situation here.”
Investigators have released few details beyond the cause of death and the request for tips. They have not said when Tull was believed to have been killed, whether there were signs of forced entry, or whether they think the shooter was someone she knew. Authorities have not described any property taken from the home or publicly discussed a possible motive, and they have not announced whether a weapon has been recovered. As the case moves forward, investigators are expected to rely heavily on witness interviews and forensic work to help narrow the window of time and identify who may have been near the home.
Even without many public details, investigators say they have been busy. The Major Case Squad said 26 law enforcement members responded as part of the activation and that detectives had already followed up on 63 leads by midday Wednesday. In a community like Carlyle, those leads can range from neighbor observations and phone calls to tips about vehicles, visitors, or recent disputes. Investigators urged anyone who spoke with Tull, saw her in town, or had direct contact with her in the days before the welfare check to contact detectives, even if the information seems minor.
Officials said tips can be provided to the Major Case Squad command post at 618-594-2451 or through Crime Stoppers at 1-866-371-8477, and they said Crime Stoppers tips can be made anonymously. Investigators have said they are continuing to pursue all avenues of the investigation, a phrase often used when detectives are still building a full picture of events and trying to separate confirmed details from rumor in the early stages of a case.
Tull’s connection to animals was at the center of how neighbors talked about her. Nordike said she loved dogs and took pride in grooming them. “She’d fix them dogs all up nice and pretty,” he said. Residents described the business as a popular stop for pet owners, and they said Tull was known for a calm, personal approach with animals, a reputation that drew repeat customers. The deaths of her two dogs, described by neighbors as part of the same violent episode, added another layer of grief for those who said her home and business were built around care for pets.
Community support gathered quickly as the investigation continued. A fundraising effort to help cover funeral expenses had raised more than $3,000 by Wednesday afternoon, according to a published report, as neighbors shared memories and offered condolences to the family. The donations reflected both the closeness of the town and the sense of disbelief residents expressed as they tried to make sense of what happened on a street better known for everyday visits than for police lights and investigators.
Investigators have not said what prompted the welfare check or who requested it, and they have not said whether the check came after missed appointments, unanswered calls, or other concerns. Those details, along with medical examiner findings, typically help detectives determine a more exact time of death and can shape where they focus interviews. For now, authorities have emphasized the importance of hearing from anyone who interacted with Tull in the days before she was found.
As of Thursday, no suspect had been publicly identified and no charges had been announced. Investigators said the case remains active, and they are expected to continue canvassing for information and reviewing evidence as they work toward a clearer timeline. The next milestone is likely an investigative update once detectives complete additional interviews and receive more results from forensic testing.
Author note: Last updated March 5, 2026.