Altoona, Pennsylvania — A Pennsylvania woman is fighting for her life after police say she survived an attempted murder by her husband, who was later found dead from a gunshot wound at their home. The couple’s dog was also found dead, according to a fundraiser organized by loved ones.
April J. Manals, 40, was found shot inside a bedroom in an Altoona residence on October 5. Her husband, Emir Manals, 54, was found fatally shot beside her, according to information released by local authorities and reported by local media.
Investigators determined the case was an attempted murder-suicide, with police alleging that Emir shot April before taking his own life. April’s family and friends are now raising money to help support her recovery and long-term care.
Woman Called Her Father for Help Before Police Arrived
According to the Altoona Police Department, April’s father told investigators that she had called him for help approximately 30 minutes before the couple was discovered.
During the call, she reportedly sought assistance with her husband and an “episode,” police said.
Her father went to the residence but received no response when he arrived. He then returned home to retrieve a key and contacted police while on his way, requesting a welfare check.
When officers arrived at the property, they also received no answer at the residence.
Police subsequently deployed drones inside the home, which helped them locate a body in the bedroom. Officers then entered the residence and discovered April and Emir.
The incident was later classified as an attempted murder-suicide. Authorities identified the case as involving a shooting, while the couple’s identities were established through local reporting, a fundraiser and information from the Blair County Coroner’s Office.
Family Says April Faces a Long Recovery
April survived the shooting but sustained injuries serious enough that her loved ones said she was in a coma when they described her condition in a fundraising appeal.
The fundraiser warned that she could face months, if not years, of painful rehabilitation, along with long-term trauma and grief therapy.
Friends and family members are seeking financial assistance to help cover the challenges associated with her recovery. The full extent of her medical condition and her latest health status have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The fundraiser describes April as a compassionate person who regularly put others first, making the news especially difficult for the people who know her.
“April is a tough cookie with a kind heart. She’s the friend who takes time off from work if you’re passing through town and then fights to pay for lunch,” part of the fundraiser said.
It also described her as a devoted aunt who frequently talked about her niece and nephew.
“She’s the doting aunt who talks about her niece and nephew nonstop,” the fundraiser added. “She’s the dog mom who adopts the ten-year-old rescue mutt everyone else walked past.”
Couple’s Dog Also Found Dead
The shooting also claimed the life of the couple’s dog, Asher, according to the fundraising page.
Loved ones said Asher was a recent rescue whom the couple enjoyed spoiling and dressing in cute clothes. The loss of the dog has added another layer of grief to an already devastating situation for those close to April.
The available information does not establish further details about how the dog died. Police have not provided additional information about the animal in the details cited here.
Friend Describes Couple’s Difficult Circumstances
A friend of April’s, Erica Laue, told that Emir had symptoms associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Laue also said April was the household’s primary breadwinner.
“It was not an easy diagnosis to live with and love someone through,” Laue told the newspaper. “But they were trying to work things through together.”
The comments provide context from someone familiar with the couple, but they do not establish a motive for the shooting. Authorities’ findings regarding the incident remain separate from the personal accounts shared by friends.
How to Get Help With Domestic Violence
April’s case is a reminder of the importance of seeking help when a relationship or household situation becomes dangerous.
Anyone experiencing domestic violence in the United States can contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or visit thehotline.org. The service is free and confidential, available 24 hours a day, and offers support in more than 170 languages.
Anyone facing immediate danger should contact emergency services.
As April’s loved ones focus on her recovery, they are asking for support to help her navigate what they describe as a long and difficult road ahead.
What message would you share with April and her family as they face this difficult time? Share your thoughts and words of support in the comments.
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