In the small town of Thompson Falls, Montana, the life of Matthew George LaFriniere, a 50-year-old Caucasian male, was cut short on May 2, 2018. He was discovered in his home, the victim of multiple gunshot wounds. LaFriniere was a well-regarded member of his community, known for his dedication as a father and his past service as a National Guardsman and a Sanders County Deputy Sheriff Detention Officer. His sudden and violent death sent ripples of shock and grief through the close-knit town.
The investigation into his death soon focused on his ex-girlfriend, Danielle Jeanette Wood, with whom he shared a child. Their relationship was described as tumultuous and strained, marked by a contentious custody battle. Investigators uncovered evidence that pointed towards Wood's involvement in LaFriniere's death. A search of her home revealed a receipt for a. 38 caliber handgun, the same type of weapon used in the killing.
Cell phone data further implicated Wood, showing that both her phone and a disposable Tracfone were in the vicinity of LaFriniere's home on the night of the murder.
A significant piece of evidence was an anonymous 911 call made from the Tracfone on the night of the incident. The female caller reported hearing a "boom" near Thompson Falls but expressed a desire not to get involved before abruptly ending the call. Further investigation revealed that the Tracfone's location data corresponded with Wood's own phone's location around the time of the murder. Witnesses also came forward, including a man Wood had previously dated, who told police that she had once asked him if he would "take out" LaFriniere.
Based on the evidence gathered, Danielle Jeanette Wood was arrested and charged with deliberate homicide. In April 2021, she was convicted of the crime. However, her conviction was later overturned by the Montana Supreme Court due to an issue with the jury verdict form and the prosecution's alternative theory of accountability. The court determined that the jury was not given a clear choice to distinguish between her being the direct perpetrator or an accomplice, leading to an ambiguous verdict. Consequently, the case was remanded for a new trial, leaving the final chapter in the story of Matthew LaFriniere's death yet to be written.
