In what began as a domestic dispute, 25-year-old William 'Bill' Schnittman was tragically killed in a murder-suicide in Oklahoma City. The promising young athlete, who had moved to the city to train for a spot on the U.S. national rowing team, was shot multiple times and pronounced dead at the scene.
The series of events unfolded when police responded to a hostage situation in the early morning hours.
Upon arrival, they found Darrell Kurt Wilson, 36, holding his estranged wife, Schnittman's girlfriend, hostage in a vehicle. Officers were able to persuade Wilson to release the woman, after which he fled in his car. A search of the residence led to the discovery of Schnittman's body. The woman informed police that she had been sexually assaulted by Wilson.
A high-speed chase ensued, which ended on Interstate 35 when Wilson died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Prior to the fatal incident, both Schnittman and his girlfriend had sought protection from Wilson, with Schnittman reporting multiple instances of harassment and death threats. Their request for a protective order had been denied. The woman had filed for divorce from Wilson the week before the murder-suicide.
