In the quiet community of Placerville, California, the life of a beloved teacher was tragically cut short, leaving a profound sense of loss among her students, colleagues, and the community at large. Shelley Snyder, a 56-year-old woman, was found deceased in her home on Big Oak Road on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. Her death is being investigated as a homicide, and a suspect has been taken into custody.
Authorities were initially called to the Snyder residence following a report of a man
brandishing a firearm. Upon their arrival, deputies from the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office detained 57-year-old Geoffrey Snyder, Shelley's husband, without incident. A subsequent search of the home led to the discovery of Shelley Snyder's body; she had sustained a suspected gunshot wound.
Geoffrey Snyder was arrested and has since been booked into the El Dorado County Jail. He faces a charge of first-degree murder and is being held without bail. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting is ongoing, and authorities have not yet released a potential motive for the tragic incident. Geoffrey Stewart Snyder, 57, was arraigned in an El Dorado County court and is facing a first-degree murder charge.
For over two decades, Shelley Snyder had been a dedicated third-grade teacher at Buckeye Elementary School in the Buckeye Union Elementary School District. The district, shocked and saddened by the news, released a statement mourning the loss of a valued member of their school family. They acknowledged the deep impact her death would have on students, staff, and families, both past and present, who had the privilege of being a part of her classroom. The district has made counseling and support services available to those affected by this profound loss.
