Funeral arrangements set for Harris County teens allegedly killed by stepfather
Funeral arrangements are scheduled for the two Harris County teenagers who law enforcement officials say were killed by their stepfather at their Midland home last week.
Eric Grigsby, 50, shot to death his stepsons Nov. 17 before deputies fatally shot him after he refused their commands to stop his approach toward them and drop the two handguns he was holding, the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in Nov. 18 news releases.
Rosary for Luke Brady Swinyard, 16, and John Brayden Swinyard, 14, will be said Nov. 24 at 5 p.m. in Fisher Chapel at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road in Columbus, according to the funeral home’s website.
Visitation for family and friends will be from 5:30-7 p.m. Nov. 24 at Striffler-Hamby. A private funeral Mass will be held exclusively for the family.
The obituary for the boys says they were students in the Harris County School District. Luke was a junior at Harris County High School, while Brayden attended Harris County Carver Middle School.
Luke loved to play video games and soccer and to watch The Walking Dead and Attack on Titan. He was a foodie who loved to cook, the obituary says.
Brayden was a theater enthusiast. He had just completed acting in a school play and was “very proud” of his performance, the obituary says. He also liked doing parkour and watching scary movies.
“The boys were full of life and enjoyed being with family and friends,” the obituary says. “We will miss their presence daily, but their memory will live forever in our hearts.”
Among the tributes to the boys written on the Striffler-Hamby website:
- “Praying for everybody who knew them,” Lydia Giberti wrote. “I miss you so much Brayden walking home from the bus has not been the same without you. I miss you everyday and think about the memories we made.”
- “Our sincerest condolences in this tragedy,” wrote Joan Kurtz. “We will continue to pray for you all. Peace be with you always.”
- “Our hearts go out to family and friends for the loss of these two hearts,” wrote Kathleen Riley.
An account at GoFundMe.com has raised $29,255 from 296 donations toward the $30,000 goal in the three days since John Swinyard established it “to help cover the funeral and associated costs so we can lay them to rest with the dignity and peace they deserve,” he wrote.
“Their loss has left our family devastated beyond words,” Swinyard wrote. “. . . Thank you for your prayers, compassion, and support during this painful time.”
This story was originally published November 23, 2025 at 11:19 AM.
