Shelly Strickland, a beloved educator from Perry, Florida, was found dead on June 24, 2015, in what was later determined to be a homicide. Strickland, 50, was discovered behind the wheel of her car, which was parked in her garage. She had been shot three times in the face through the driver’s side window with a small caliber handgun. The shattered glass from the window was scattered across the garage floor. Inside her home, a gun cabinet had been forcibly opened, and several firearms, including a .45 caliber and a .375 Magnum, along with numerous arrowheads and artifacts, were stolen. The initial investigation suggested that robbery was the motive behind the murder.
The investigation quickly led authorities to focus on Strickland's nephew, Garrett Arrowood, and two other individuals, Rodney and Manden Whiddon, a father and son duo. The trio was believed to have planned and executed the robbery that resulted in Strickland's death. Evidence showed that they attempted to sell the stolen arrowheads and artifacts shortly after the murder. Manden Whiddon provided crucial information to the police, leading them to a camper where the three suspects lived. There, a .32-caliber handgun was found, although it was not the murder weapon. The investigation revealed that Garrett Arrowood had taken the stolen firearms to a barn, where they were eventually recovered.
Garrett Arrowood was arrested and charged with the murder of his aunt. The case garnered significant attention in the small, close-knit community of Perry, where Strickland was a well-respected figure in the Taylor County School District. She had dedicated nearly three decades to education, serving as a teacher, dean, and principal. The trial of Garrett Arrowood was a highly emotional event for the community and Strickland's family. Ultimately, Arrowood was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for his role in the murder. The case highlighted the devastating impact of the crime on the family and the community, leaving a lasting scar on those who knew and loved Shelly Strickland.
