Christine Adewunmi was born on September 25, 1974. She grew up in Missouri and attended Kirkwood High School, where she graduated in 1993. Known as Christine Pannett during her school years, she was involved in various activities and was seen as a dedicated student.

After high school, Christine pursued a career in education. She became a physical education teacher at Parkway North High School. She worked there from December 1998 until June 2006. During her teaching career, she also coached girls' track and softball teams. Christine was committed to her job and enjoyed working with students.

Christine married Leonard Adewunmi, and together they had three daughters: Lauren, Samantha, and Kate. The family lived in west St. Louis County. Christine was a devoted mother, spending her time taking care of her children and prioritizing their needs. She often took them to parks, on family vacations, and engaged in outdoor activities with them.

Despite her outward life as a dedicated mother, Christine faced significant struggles in her personal life. She was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and suffered from depression. Her family and friends were aware of her battles and supported her as best they could. However, no one knew the full extent of her struggles.

Christine's mental health issues became more pronounced over time. She had seen a therapist and had been referred for a hospital evaluation shortly before her tragic end. Although she had moments of being a happy and caring mother, the effects of her mental illness were overwhelming.

On March 17, 2012, Christine Adewunmi took her three daughters, Lauren, Samantha, and Kate, to a quiet area near the Meramec River in Crawford County, Missouri. The girls were just eight, six, and three years old. After arriving at a remote spot, she shot each of them and then turned the gun on herself.

The family was discovered the following day by a guest at a nearby ranch. Their SUV was parked at the dead end of a gravel road, close to where the bodies were found. Authorities confirmed that all four had died from gunshot wounds, with each having a single shot to the head. Police reported that the shootings were a murder-suicide, with Christine as the shooter.

Christine's husband, Leonard Adewunmi, reported the family missing the night before. He had returned home from work to find that they were gone. He feared for Christine's well-being, noting her struggles with bipolar disorder and depression. He had taken her for an evaluation the day before the tragedy occurred and was worried she might be suicidal.

Previous instances had raised alarms for Leonard. Christine had left with the children on two occasions prior to the incident, and he had tried to contact her numerous times on the day they went missing. Investigators later found that Christine had been searching online for information about depression and suicide.

Following the event, the family expressed their shock and confusion at the tragedy. They described Christine as a devoted mother who made her children her top priority, stating that they never realized the extent of her mental health struggles.