“Winter Haven Woman Mourns Loss of Son, Partner, and Unborn Child in Tragic Murder-Suicide”

A murder-suicide in Winter Haven, Florida has left a woman mourning the loss of her son, his partner, and their unborn child. The Polk County Sheriff’s Office reported that Riley Groover shot and killed his fiancé, Camdyn Rider, who was eight months pregnant, before taking his own life. The woman, identified only as Bonnie, spoke about her son’s struggles with mental illness and emphasized the importance of seeking treatment. She expressed her devastation and reluctance to hold a funeral due to fears of “haters” showing up. The tragic incident has drawn national attention for Rider’s status as a transgender man. Gary White reported

Winter Haven resident Bonnie is facing unimaginable grief as she mourns the loss of her son, Riley Groover, and his partner, Camdyn Rider, who was eight months pregnant with their unborn child. The tragedy occurred on July 21 in the Inwood area, just outside of Winter Haven, when Groover shot and killed Rider before taking his own life. Bonnie, who is eagerly awaiting the arrival of her grandchild, is hesitant to hold a funeral due to fears of potential disruptions from “haters.”

During a conversation, Bonnie opened up about her son’s lifelong struggles with mental illness, including borderline personality disorder, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Groover was also diagnosed with Asperger Syndrome, a condition on the autism spectrum. Bonnie emphasized the importance of seeking treatment for mental health issues and expressed her devastation at losing her son.

Groover’s troubled childhood was marked by instances of bullying and self-harm, with multiple suicide attempts starting from a young age. Despite his challenges, Groover managed to earn a high school diploma and pursued various career aspirations, including working as a nighttime security guard and aspiring to be a professional photographer.

Bonnie also shared that Rider, who identified as a transgender man, planned to undergo a physical transition after giving birth and finishing breastfeeding. The couple’s deep love for each other was evident through their social media posts, which Bonnie now cherishes as precious memories.

In the face of this tragic loss, Bonnie hopes that her story will shed light on the importance of mental health treatment and provide comfort to others who may be struggling with similar challenges..