Aundra Gammons, a 56-year-old African American male, was found dead on August 26, 2015, outside his home in Bartow, Florida. His body was discovered by co-workers in the yard of the residence he shared with his ex-wife, Sherri Fugate Gammons. An autopsy revealed that Aundra Gammons died from a single gunshot wound that pierced his heart and left lung.
The Polk County Sheriff's Office ruled his death a homicide.
In the days leading up to his death, Sherri Gammons, a 47-year-old Caucasian female, had made several statements to friends and family about her intentions to kill Aundra for insurance money. On the evening of August 25, 2015, the couple was seen running errands together. Later that night, Sherri claimed that Aundra left the house and never returned. However, she did not report him missing to family or authorities.
Sherri Gammons was arrested on September 2, 2015, and charged with first-degree murder. During the investigation, it was revealed that Sherri had a history of making threats against Aundra and had expressed frustration over having to hide her drug use from him. She also sought legal assistance to sue their daughter for the $25,000 life insurance policy Aundra had through his employer, Putnam Groves, which named their daughter as the sole beneficiary.
Sherri Gammons initially planned to argue that she acted in self-defense due to battered-spouse syndrome. However, she later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree murder and was sentenced to 35 years in prison. The case highlighted issues of domestic violence and the complexities of relationships marred by substance abuse and financial disputes.
