Gwendolyn Smith, 17, was found dead in her stepfather’s Bedford Township home on June 14. Authorities say she was shot multiple times by 33-year-old Ryne Leist, her former club bowling coach, who then died by suicide. The motive remains unclear, though investigators confirmed a conversation between the two occurred five days before the shooting.
Leist, once employed at a local bowling alley, had coached Smith’s team but was not officially tied to the school. He resigned shortly before the incident. Officials say Smith never viewed their relationship as romantic, and her death has been ruled a homicide.
#GwendolynSmith, a 17 YO from MI, was shot to death by her former HS Bowling Coach, 33 YO, #RyneLeist. MCSO made it clear that Smith did not view Leist in a romantic way, but her dad has confirmed that Leist definitely tried to pursue something…
— Matt Thibodeau (@MattThibodeau) June 22, 2025
TikTok: https://t.co/SD8xkxaiuq pic.twitter.com/uKX2Y4aa9I
The Bedford community is grieving. Her school has activated a crisis team, and a GoFundMe campaign has raised over $20,000. “This tragic and unnecessary loss has shaken our entire community,” said Superintendent Carl Shultz, calling Smith an “extraordinary young woman.”
Her father and stepmother shared heartfelt tributes, remembering Smith’s kindness, talent, and bright spirit. She was celebrated for her academics, artistic gifts, and love for life—a light gone too soon, but never forgotten.
