Wilburton, Oklahoma – A shocking case out of eastern Oklahoma has ended with a 60-year prison sentence for a woman who brutally killed her 75-year-old mother, then calmly washed dishes in the kitchen as officers arrived. Authorities say the crime unfolded during a severe delusional episode triggered by untreated mental illness and drug use.
Incident Overview
According to federal prosecutors, 53-year-old Tracy Mannon admitted to killing her mother, Linda Barnes (75), inside their home on Feb. 26, 2024. The case fell under federal jurisdiction because the crime occurred on Choctaw Nation land, and both women were members of the Cherokee Nation.
Investigators revealed that Mannon attacked her mother using two knives and a portable vacuum cleaner, inflicting devastating wounds. She later told officers she had planned to dismember the body but abandoned the attempt because one knife was “too dull to complete the task.” An integrated report from the U.S. Attorney’s Office provides these disturbing details.
Timeline of Events
A neighbor called the Wilburton Police Department around 4 p.m. after hearing Mannon screaming at her mother before the house fell silent. Officers arrived soon after and initially received no response at the door. Moving to the back of the home, police saw Barnes lying on the floor with severe injuries, including exposed organs and tissue, according to the criminal complaint.
Medical responders pronounced Barnes dead at the scene. Officers then spotted Mannon at the kitchen sink, where she appeared to be washing dishes as though nothing unusual had happened.
She was arrested without incident and immediately confessed to killing her mother.
Details from Police and Federal Officials
Mannon told investigators she believed her mother had been replaced by an “identical robot” planning to detonate an explosive device under the house — a delusion that stemmed from untreated mental illness.
Officers also found her blood-stained clothes wrapped in carpet and hidden inside her bedroom closet.
Federal prosecutors charged her with second-degree murder in Indian country, and she pleaded guilty in April.
Witness Accounts and Family Statements
During the sentencing hearing, Melissa Junell, Barnes’ other daughter, described her mother as lively and competitive even at 75 years old.
“She still was at game night. She would fight and fuss with us, argue over rules, try to cheat. That’s just who she was. And so much fun,” Junell told local reporters.
Junell added that Mannon had displayed violent tendencies for years and often blamed her behavior on mental illness without consistently seeking treatment.
“She said that she’s learned her lesson, which I don’t believe… If she gets out, she said she’d take her meds and be responsible,” Junell said.
Despite the defense pointing to lifelong struggles with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, Junell said mental health issues did not excuse the killing.
“There is a measure of right and wrong. And today, the atrocious wrong that was committed against my mother… it was avenged,” she said.
Key Facts of the Case
- Victim: Linda Barnes, 75
- Accused: Tracy Mannon, 53
- Charge: Second-degree murder
- Location: Choctaw Nation land, Wilburton, Oklahoma
- Sentence: 60 years in federal prison
- Weapons Used: Two knives, portable vacuum cleaner
- Incident Date: Feb. 26, 2024
Additional Context: Mental Health and Crime
Court records show Mannon was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in her mid-20s. She reportedly stopped taking her medication, began using drugs, and experienced increasing instability in the months leading up to the attack.
Her defense attorneys wrote:
“By the afternoon she was delusional enough to kill her mother for no rational reason… Tracy killed her mother because she was having a delusion that her mother had been replaced by an identical robot.”
Researchers and law enforcement often stress that untreated severe mental illness can escalate into dangerous behavior, especially when combined with substance use. However, experts emphasize that treatment, supervision, and early intervention can prevent tragic outcomes like this one.
Safety and Awareness
Authorities encourage families dealing with severe mental illness to seek ongoing treatment, follow medical guidance strictly, and communicate openly with mental health professionals. Sudden behavioral changes, delusions, or hallucinations should be addressed immediately to prevent harm.
Conclusion
The community of Wilburton continues to grapple with the horrific loss of Linda Barnes, remembered as a joyful mother and grandmother. As Mannon begins her 60-year sentence, family members say they hope this tragedy serves as a reminder of the importance of consistent mental health treatment.
Share your experiences in the comments below.
