A tragic and alarming case is unfolding on the outskirts of St. Louis, Missouri, where the father of a young girl, who had reported his daughter being raped, was murdered after refusing a bribe to drop the charges. Authorities have linked the murder to the family of the alleged rapist, Lavor Harmon, who faces charges for the statutory rape of the girl.
The Shocking Crime
The incident began in March 2025, when Lavor Harmon, 39, was accused of statutorily raping a girl under the age of 17. Charges, including statutory rape and sodomy, were filed against Harmon in May. He was subsequently arrested and placed under a $150,000 bond, which prohibited him from having any contact with the alleged victim.
However, authorities allege that Harmon’s family attempted to influence the victim’s father to drop the charges. In May 2025, Lavonda Harmon, Lavor’s 44-year-old sister, and an unidentified male allegedly approached the father and offered him $12,000 to stop participating in the prosecution of her brother. The father refused the bribe and reported the incident to the Ferguson Police Department. Lavonda Harmon was later charged with tampering with a witness.
A Tragic Turn of Events
The case took a tragic turn on July 8, 2025, when the father of the alleged victim was shot and killed at his home on Bayview Drive. Authorities confirmed that the father was murdered while the alleged victim and another minor were present at the scene. A white Kia was spotted leaving the scene of the crime, and later the same day, the male suspect was found murdered in St. Louis City, with the same Kia being burned nearby.
The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office believes that this murder is tied to Lavor Harmon and his family. They describe Harmon as a flight risk and a danger to the community, stating that his criminal history and connections to organized crime make him likely to disregard any conditions set by the court.
Court Actions and Bonds
Prosecutors have requested that Lavor Harmon’s bond be raised to $2 million, citing the ongoing investigation into his family’s criminal activity. The request was granted, as authorities continue to connect the murder of the alleged rape victim’s father with the Harmon family.
Additionally, Lavonda Harmon was arrested on July 11, and though she posted a $100,000 bond, she faces charges related to attempting to influence the victim’s family. Her next court date is set for August 4, 2025.
Reactions from the Community
Residents in the Ferguson area, where the shooting took place, were left shocked and stunned by the events. Latoya Carey, a nearby resident, expressed disbelief over the situation, saying, “This is very shocking.”
Patricia Washington from the Ferguson Police Department confirmed that this was not a random act of violence, stating that in the homicides they’ve investigated this year, all involved individuals were known to each other.
The case involving Lavor Harmon and his family has brought attention to the dangers of attempts to intimidate witnesses in criminal cases. The refusal of the victim’s father to accept a bribe led to his tragic death, and the investigation continues as authorities uncover more details about the criminal activities surrounding the case. The murder of the father has left the community shaken, and residents are hoping justice will be served for the family affected by this tragedy.
