In the quiet neighborhood of Chief Garry Park in Spokane, Washington, the morning of November 9, 2024, was shattered by violence that claimed the life of 71-year-old Donald Gunstrom. A male resident of the area, Gunstrom was discovered deceased on the road near the intersection of Lacey Street and Riverton Avenue shortly after 10 a.m. The scene was grim, with responding officers finding he had sustained multiple gunshot wounds to his chest, face, and head.
Further examination by the Spokane County Medical Examiner's Office would later reveal that his death was a result of both the gunshot wounds and significant blunt-force injuries, suggesting he may have also been struck or dragged by a vehicle.
The investigation into Gunstrom's death quickly pointed away from a random act of violence. Details emerged suggesting a complex and tragic story, possibly a murder-for-hire scheme rooted in a love triangle. A 25-year-old woman, who had just moved in with Gunstrom the day before his killing, came forward to police with critical information. She alleged that her 50-year-old ex-boyfriend had hired someone to murder Gunstrom. The woman told investigators she had met both men through her work as a prostitute and that her ex-boyfriend had been abusive and had previously threatened to kill Gunstrom if she ever returned to him.
This information led investigators to identify a prime suspect in the shooting: a 59-year-old man. However, before an arrest could be made, the suspect was found dead two days after Gunstrom's murder at Pompeys Pillar National Monument in Montana, roughly 32 miles east of Billings. His death was ruled a suicide. Evidence found with the deceased suspect, including a handgun and his vehicle, a white 2024 Chrysler Pacifica with Illinois license plates, appeared to link him to the Spokane crime scene. Security footage from a nearby residence had captured a similar vehicle speeding away from the area of the shooting. While no arrests have been made in Donald Gunstrom's death, the investigation remains open as authorities continue to explore the possibility of other individuals being involved in the alleged murder-for-hire plot.
