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Iowa woman killed when gender-reveal goes horribly wrong Share Shares Copy Link Copy

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A GENDER REVEAL PARTY IN KNOXVILLE ENDS IN TRAGED POLICE SAY A WOMAN DIED DURING THE FAMILY’S CELEBRATION. KCCI’S MARCUS MCINTOSH WENT TO KNOXVILLE TODAY TO SEE HOW THE COMMUNITY IS REACTIN MARCUS: WHAT WAS SUPPOSED TO A JOYOUS OCCASION AT THIS RURAL KNOXVILLE HOME ENDED IN TRAGEDY. LATE SATURDAY AFTERNOON, WE RECEIVED THIS PRESS RELEASE THAT READS IN PART, THE MARION COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE RECEIVED A 9 CALL OF AN EXPLOSION. A GENDER REVEAL ANNOUNCEMENT RESULTED IN THE EXPLOSION WHIC CAUSED A FLYING PIECE OF DEBRIS TO STRIKE THE VICTIM. A 56-YEAR-OLD WOMAN WAS PRONOUNCED DEAD AT THE SCENE. IT DID NOT TAKE LONG FOR WORD TO SPREAD THROUGH KNOXVILLE. WE SPOKE WITH PEOPLE ON THE TOWN SQUARE. >> I’M SURE NO ONE THOUGHT THIS COULD END TRAGICALLY. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT? MARCUS: GARY ROOZEBOOM IS A RETIRED PASTOR IN TOWN AND HAS LIVED IN KNOXVILLE FOR MORE THAN TWO DECADES. HE TELLS US THE TRAGEDY IS STILL SINKING IN >> MY HEART JUST SANK FOR THE FAMILY THAT IS SOMETHING THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FUN AND EXCITIN YOU AHVE YOUR FAMILY THERE A WOW, IN AN INSTANT EVERYTHING CHANGED. MARCUS: EVERYONE WE SPOKE WITH SAYS THEIR HEARTS HURT FOR THE FAMILY AND THIER LOSS, TELLING US IN A TOWN THIS SIZE, EVERYONE FEELS CONNECTED. >> THIS IS A SMALL TOWN AND THE ODDS ARE YOU EITHER WORKED WITH A FAMILY MEMBER. MARCUS: DEB HARVEY HAS LIVED IN KNOXVILLE FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES. SHE TELLS US THIS TOWN COMES TOGETHER TO HELP SOMEONE IN NEED. >> WE JUST CAME FROM THE METHODIST CHURCH AND WE SAID A PRAYER FOR THE FAMILY.