In the spring of 2026, the life of 35-year-old Shawna Grove, a mother of five from Billings, Montana, was tragically cut short. Friends and family remember her as a loyal and loving individual. Her death, which occurred on or around April 23, 2026, sparked outrage and a community-wide conversation about domestic violence.
On April 24, 2026, the Billings Police Department received a report that Shawna Grove, who also went by Shawna Hart, was missing.
A friend reported last seeing her the previous night getting into a Chevrolet Traverse with her estranged husband, 32-year-old Tanner Michael Grove. The couple was reportedly in the midst of divorce proceedings. The investigation into her disappearance quickly led police to a grim discovery. Shawna's body was found inside a vehicle on a farm in rural Big Horn County. An autopsy later revealed she had died from a penetrating wound to the head.
The primary suspect in her death was identified as her estranged husband, Tanner Grove. He was arrested on April 24 on outstanding warrants. Subsequently, he was charged with deliberate homicide, burglary, and tampering with evidence in connection with Shawna's death. Court documents revealed a troubled history between the couple, including a no-contact order that was in place at the time of her death. Tanner Grove had previously been jailed for assaulting Shawna and had been released from custody in mid-March, just weeks before her death. Less than two weeks after his release, he allegedly threatened two of Shawna's family members with a shotgun. Following his arrest for Shawna's murder, bail was set at $3 million. During his initial court appearance, not guilty pleas were entered on his behalf.
The community of Billings was shaken by the news of Shawna's death. Friends, family, and advocates against domestic violence gathered at a Billings City Council meeting to voice their grief and demand action to better protect victims of domestic abuse. The tragedy prompted the city council to resolve to hold a special session specifically to address the issue of domestic violence and evaluate the response protocols of local law enforcement and social services.
