On a late June evening in the small town of Brooks, Maine, a family tragedy unfolded that would leave the community in shock. On June 25, 2010, 49-year-old Deborah Littlefield, a female, was found shot to death in the kitchen of her home on Veteran's Highway. The initial call to emergency services came from a relative, but by the time help arrived, Deborah was already gone.
The investigation into her death quickly focused on her husband of 30 years, Michael Littlefield, who was 48 at the time.
In the hours following the shooting, Michael's actions painted a grim picture of the events that had transpired. Instead of seeking help for his wife, he left the home and drove to a convenience store to purchase a 12-pack of beer. He then went to his sister's house, where he confessed to the killing. From there, he drove to a friend's home on Back Brooks Road and confessed again, this time providing a motive. He told his friend that he had shot his wife because she had been nagging him about a muffler he had recently bought for his truck. Police located Michael at his friend's residence, where he was taken into custody. Investigators also recovered the rifle they believed was used in the homicide.
The investigation revealed more chilling details about the sequence of events. At one point, the couple's son, Zachary, was confronted by his father, who was holding a rifle. Michael told his son that he had killed Deborah and was going to jail for life. After his father confessed, Zachary went upstairs and discovered his mother's body on the kitchen floor. It was determined that Deborah had been shot from behind with a. 30-30 Winchester rifle while she was standing at the sink. Michael later claimed that after shooting his wife, he lay down next to her, contemplating taking his own life, but evidence at the scene did not support this statement. While being transported to jail by a detective, as they passed the family home, Michael reportedly uttered, "Sayonara, bitch."
Michael Littlefield was charged with the intentional or knowing murder of his wife. While he claimed to have no memory of the shooting, he eventually entered into a plea agreement with prosecutors. Pleading guilty to the murder charge, he was sentenced to 35 years in prison. During his sentencing, his daughter spoke on behalf of the family, expressing that they had not only lost their mother but their father as well, stating that the man who committed the act was not the father they had known for years. The case was treated by authorities as a domestic violence homicide, a tragic end to a long-term marriage over a seemingly trivial dispute.
