Theodore N. Rockwood II, a 49-year-old male resident of Reddick, Illinois, was found deceased in his home on November 17, 2015. Upon arrival, Kankakee County Sheriff’s Deputies discovered Rockwood with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Kankakee County Coroner Bob Gessner. The initial investigation was conducted by the Kankakee County Sheriff’s Office in collaboration with the Illinois State Police. Authorities urged anyone with information regarding the incident to come forward, as they continued to piece together the circumstances surrounding Rockwood's death.
The investigation took a significant turn when Michelle A. Rockwood, the 43-year-old ex-wife of Theodore Rockwood, was apprehended by the Chicago Heights Police Department two days after the incident. Michelle was found in possession of a handgun and a letter containing threats directed at another individual. She was subsequently charged with the murder of Theodore Rockwood. In November 2016, Michelle pled guilty to the murder in a Kankakee County courtroom. She accepted a plea deal that resulted in a sentence of 27 and a half years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, to be served at 100%.
The case highlighted the tragic end of a tumultuous relationship, with Michelle Rockwood's actions leading to the fatal shooting of her former husband. The investigation revealed that she had also threatened additional individuals prior to her arrest, underscoring the severity of her actions. The successful prosecution of Michelle Rockwood was praised by Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey, who commended the efforts of the investigators in bringing the case to a close and ensuring that justice was served.
