Netflix doc star Hannah Aberegg shot dead by police

She was just 25.

The mother of two died on May 6 in South Bend, Indiana, after a confrontation with officers at a Phillips 66 petrol station on Portage Avenue.

Her own mother had called police that afternoon asking for a welfare check, telling them her daughter was experiencing a mental health episode and may have been armed.

According to Indiana State Police, officers from the South Bend Police Department and St Joseph County Police located Hannah at the gas station shortly after 3.30pm.

Within two minutes, shots were fired.

Surveillance footage from the scene is said to show Hannah producing a handgun before a South Bend officer opened fire.

She received aid at the scene, was rushed to hospital, and was pronounced dead at around 4.10pm.

No officers were injured.

In the days since her death, Indiana State Police have publicly addressed misinformation circulating online about how the incident unfolded.

Sergeant Ted Bohner of the Indiana State Police said in a statement: "The Indiana State Police continues to investigate the officer-involved shooting that took place on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 6, 2026. These investigations typically take several weeks to complete.

"While this may seem like a long time, it is needed to do a thorough and accurate investigation. That is what the public and all involved parties deserve. Our role in this incident is to seek facts through all means necessary. We do not make determinations on these incidents. That is the role for the Prosecutor's Office."

He added: "Some facts that some in the community either overlooked or ignored: Ms Aberegg was armed at the time of this incident and did pull this handgun out during interaction with the police, causing an officer with the SBPD to fire his weapon."

Police also clarified that, despite online claims to the contrary, Indiana State Police did not arrive on scene until after the shooting had taken place. Only South Bend police and St Joseph County police responded to the initial welfare check.

ISP also said a crisis response team was not dispatched because, by protocol, those units do not respond to incidents involving an armed individual.

The investigation remains ongoing, with bodycam footage, in-car video and surveillance footage all being reviewed.

The findings will be passed to the St Joseph County Prosecutor's Office, which will determine whether the use of force was justified.

Hannah leaves behind two young children, Kai'son Aberegg and Ari'Ella Thompson-Aberegg.

Her obituary describes her as a young mother whose world revolved around them: "Everything she did, every choice she made, was rooted in her love for them. They were her purpose, her joy, and her greatest pride."

It continues: "Hannah lived with her emotions wide open. She loved boldly, cared deeply, and never hesitated to show her heart. Her tattoos told the story of her life, her struggles, her passions, her memories, and her dreams. She embraced people with a rare kind of sincerity, offering love without hesitation and loyalty without conditions."

Hannah first became known to the public through the second season of Girls Incarcerated, the Netflix docuseries following teenage girls inside the Madison Juvenile Correctional Facility in Indiana.

She had been in and out of detention before the age of 18 while struggling with addiction.

If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available. In the UK, you can contact Samaritans free on 116 123, or text SHOUT to 85258 to reach a trained crisis volunteer.