Barbara Ripa

Star Community Newspapers: Woman convicted of Frisco manslaughter commits suicide...Woman convicted of Frisco manslaughter commits suicide

By Ann Marie Shambaugh, Staff Writer (Created: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 3:18 PM CDT)

A woman who was convicted of felony manslaughter in the death of Frisco attorney Richard McKennon died May 21 from complications after she attempted to commit suicide.

Barbara Ripa, 41, was found with a sheet tied around her neck and to her cell bars on May 18 at the Goree Unit in Huntsville.

"She was discovered by her correctional staff," Texas Department of Criminal Justice spokesman Jason Clark said. "Life-saving techniques were initiated and she was taken by ambulance to Huntsville Memorial Hospital."

Ripa was stabilized at the hospital and was transported to Conroe Regional Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead on May 21.

McKennon was fatally injured on Feb. 26, 2006, after Ripa's SUV turned left in front of his motorcycle on Preston Road. He was later pronounced dead at Centennial Medical Center.

A Collin County jury convicted Ripa of felony manslaughter in February and she was sentenced to four years in prison. She began serving time at the Goree Unit on April 2.

McKennon's wife, Kayla, said she was shocked and distressed when she learned of Ripa's death on Tuesday.

"I just was devastated, and it's just tragic," she said. "I'm still grieving for my husband and my loss, and my thoughts and prayers are with Barbara Ripa's children and her family, because I know what they're going through, and it's awful."