In the small community of Rocky Ford, Colorado, the life of 49-year-old Wendy Kari Schneider was tragically cut short in December of 2018. A loving mother, wife, and daughter, Wendy was known for her kind soul and a smile that rarely left her face. She had a passion for life, evident in her love for gardening, fishing, and exploring new places. She was born on May 31, 1969, in La Junta, Colorado, and had built a life in the area, working various jobs, including for social services and most recently with her husband, Justin Schneider, at his paving company.
On the evening of December 22, 2018, police were called to the Schneider home on Swink Avenue for what was reported as an accidental shooting. Wendy Schneider had sustained a gunshot wound and was transported to Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo for treatment. Despite medical efforts, she succumbed to her injuries a week later on December 29, 2018. The initial report of an accident soon became the subject of a deeper investigation.
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation joined the Rocky Ford Police Department in examining the circumstances surrounding Wendy's death. The investigation led to charges being filed against her husband, Justin Schneider, in July 2019. He was charged with two felonies: manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide. Notably, he was not arrested but was issued a court summons. The case raised questions within the community and among Wendy's family, who felt the charges did not adequately reflect the gravity of the situation. Her daughter expressed that her mother had wanted out of the relationship.
In March 2021, a jury found Justin Schneider guilty of criminally negligent homicide. While the family had initially believed the charges were not severe enough, Wendy's daughter later stated that after hearing more evidence during the trial, she believed manslaughter would have been the appropriate charge, but found the guilty verdict on the lesser charge to be sufficient. Justin Schneider faced a maximum sentence of three years in prison for the death of his wife.
