On a summer day in Spokane, Washington, the life of 30-year-old Sheena Marie Henderson, a White/Caucasian female, was tragically cut short. On July 8, 2014, while at her job in a lab at the Rockwood Cancer Treatment Center at Deaconess Hospital, she was confronted by her husband, Christopher Henderson. In a targeted and cold act, Christopher shot his wife multiple times before turning the gun on himself.
Sheena was killed instantly in what witnesses described as an "execution"-style slaying.
The horrific event was the culmination of a period of domestic turmoil. Just two months prior, in May 2014, Sheena had contacted the Spokane Police Department to report that her husband was suicidal and had threatened "suicide by cop." This led to the confiscation of his gun. However, the weapon was returned to him the day before the murder-suicide. Sheena's family believes the system failed her, as she was not notified of the gun's return. Co-workers were aware of Sheena's fear of her husband, and she was reportedly in the process of seeking a restraining order against him due to threats.
The perpetrator, Christopher Henderson, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene, and therefore no arrests were made in connection with Sheena's death. The incident was investigated as a domestic violence-related murder-suicide. The couple had two children who were reported to be safe and in the care of family members following the tragedy. Sheena's family later advocated for legislative changes to ensure family members are notified when confiscated weapons are returned to individuals who have shown signs of being a danger to themselves or others. This led to the passage of the "Sheena Henderson Law" in Washington.
