In the quiet community of Auburn, Alabama, the life of 66-year-old Martha 'Marti' White was tragically cut short on October 17, 2019. On that Thursday evening, Auburn police responded to a call on Burke Place, where they discovered White unresponsive on the floor of the residence. She had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to her face and was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into her death quickly led to a suspect: Ross Jonathan McFarland, the 16-year-old child of White's
fiancé. An affidavit revealed that McFarland, formerly known as Emily Ruth McFarland, harbored deep-seated animosity towards White. The teenager was upset about his father's engagement to White so soon after the death of his mother. A witness, who was a close friend of McFarland, told police they were at the residence and saw McFarland shoot White as she turned her head away. After the shooting, McFarland reportedly picked up the shell casing, and the two fled the scene. McFarland also stole White's truck after the incident.
Law enforcement located McFarland on Highway 50, along with the Smith & Wesson. 40-caliber handgun believed to have been used in the crime. Due to public safety concerns, the Lee County District Attorney requested that McFarland be held without bond.
In May 2022, at the age of 19, Ross McFarland pleaded guilty to the murder of Martha White. Acknowledging the motive of animosity, McFarland was sentenced to 50 years in prison for the crime. At the time of the offense, McFarland had no prior criminal record.
