Annette Kaleialoha Brooks, aged 61, tragically lost her life on April 24, 2017, in Rio Dell, California, in what was determined to be a murder-suicide incident. The unfortunate event occurred at a Caltrans maintenance yard, where Brooks was employed as a supervisor. The incident involved Terry Allan Hayse, a 57-year-old Caltrans employee, who shot Brooks multiple times before turning the gun on himself.
The altercation between Brooks and Hayse was reportedly related to a workplace dispute, although the specific details of the argument remain unclear.
On the morning of the incident, emergency responders arrived at the scene to find Brooks deceased and Hayse critically injured. Hayse was transported to Redwood Memorial Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The investigation, led by the California Highway Patrol (CHP) with assistance from the Humboldt County Sheriff's Office, the Humboldt County District Attorney's Office, and the Rio Dell Police Department, confirmed that Hayse was the registered owner of the handgun used in the shooting. Witnesses at the scene reported hearing loud shouting followed by gunshots, indicating a heated confrontation prior to the tragic outcome.
The incident shocked the local community and the Caltrans family, prompting statements of condolence from officials, including Governor Jerry Brown. The investigation revealed that while there had been previous issues between Brooks and Hayse, nothing had indicated the potential for such extreme violence. The case was classified as a murder-suicide, and no further arrests or suspects were involved. The focus of the investigation shifted to understanding the underlying causes of the dispute and implementing measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
