In the small town of Sharptown, Maryland, the life of 51-year-old Edward Kohlhoff III came to a tragic end on the night of Friday, September 25, 2020. A white male, he was found inside his residence on Water Street suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Maryland State Police troopers were dispatched to the home shortly before 10:30 p.m. for a reported shooting. Upon their arrival, they discovered Mr. Kohlhoff in the kitchen, where he had been shot five times and was pronounced dead at the scene.
His wife, 55-year-old Sharon Kohlhoff, was also present in the home when authorities arrived. Investigators found her near her husband's body, sifting through financial paperwork with a revolver in close proximity. The preliminary investigation revealed that the couple had been experiencing marital difficulties. Earlier that same evening, Sharon Kohlhoff had contacted the police to inquire about the procedure for obtaining a protective order, though she did not report any assault or request further assistance at that time. Later that night, during what was described as an argument, she retrieved a handgun from the second floor of their home and shot her husband multiple times. Law enforcement records indicated no prior history of police responses for domestic issues at the couple's residence.
Sharon Kohlhoff was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, and the use of a handgun in the commission of a felony. During interviews with investigators, she admitted to killing her husband and did not express being in fear of him. Nearly a year later, on August 3, 2021, Sharon Kohlhoff pleaded guilty to the lesser charges of second-degree murder and use of a firearm in a crime of violence. This plea agreement allowed her to avoid a trial on the more severe charge of first-degree murder. Her sentencing was scheduled for October of that year.
