William Bergeron, a 72-year-old Caucasian male, was found dead in his Manchester, Washington home on October 27, 2022, in what was initially reported as a suicide. His wife, Colleen Jean Bergeron, then 70, had walked to a neighbor's house to report that her husband had shot himself in the head. When law enforcement arrived, they discovered William's body on his bed with a gun in his hand and a lengthy, blood-smeared suicide note leaning against his body.
However, detectives from the
Kitsap County Sheriff's Office soon suspected that the scene was staged. The investigation revealed that just days before his death, William had installed security cameras in the house. This footage allegedly told a different story from the one Colleen had relayed. According to court documents, the video showed Colleen carrying the gun into the room where her husband was found. Investigators also believe she used a towel or shirt and wore latex gloves to avoid leaving fingerprints. Furthermore, a handwriting expert concluded that the suicide note, which spoke fondly of Colleen, was a forgery. An autopsy later showed that William did not have the cancer his wife claimed was the reason for his supposed depression and suicide.
Weeks after her husband's death, on November 16, 2022, authorities arrested Colleen Bergeron. During an interview with detectives, her statements were described as confusing and contradictory. Evidence also suggested she was preparing to flee, as she had listed their house and car for sale and had a packed RV and horse trailer ready to go. Colleen Bergeron was charged with first-degree murder, and her bail was set at $10 million due to her being considered a flight risk. She pleaded not guilty at her arraignment.
The legal proceedings took an unexpected turn when Colleen Bergeron's mental competency came into question. After evaluations by three experts, she was diagnosed with dementia and deemed incompetent to stand trial. As a result, the first-degree murder charge against her was dismissed in October 2023. She was then admitted to Western State Hospital for competency restoration. By late 2024, reports indicated she could be released from the hospital, a development that shocked and concerned William Bergeron's family, who still seek justice for his death.
