Father of 2 with ‘Heart of Gold’ Dies After Being Shot in the Head During Hunting Incident with Friend

A 45-year-old father of two described by loved ones as having a “heart of gold” was fatally shot during a recent hunting outing in Lafourche Parish, Louisiana.

According to statements from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) and the Lafourche Parish Sheriff’s Office (LPSO), authorities were called to the scene of a reported fatal shooting on Saturday, Nov. 29, at around 4 p.m. local time.

When officers arrived, they found that Garret Verdun of Raceland had suffered a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Verdun’s hunting companion told investigators that the two were walking to their hunting locations and had just crossed a cattle guard when the incident occurred. As Verdun tried to hand a rifle to his partner, the firearm allegedly discharged accidentally, LDWF said.

The wildlife agency is assisting the sheriff’s office as the investigation continues, according to both departments, which did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

An online obituary remembers Verdun as someone who was always ready to help others or offer comfort, with a life marked by close relationships and a strong capacity for love. It notes that he cherished time with his children, Chloe and Ethan, and enjoyed being with his family and fiancée, Tiffany Hunter.

Verdun is described as an avid outdoorsman and a skilled craftsman who loved carpentry and building projects. Above all, the obituary says, his family was his deepest priority, and he was known for a contagious smile that friends and relatives will deeply miss.

His daughter Chloe, 19, shared an emotional tribute on Facebook on Thursday, Dec. 4. She wrote that she felt grateful for the 19 years she had with her father and said he would always be her role model and favorite person. She also asked for prayers for herself, her brother, and their family as they navigate this devastating loss.