In the early morning hours of December 13, 2018, a tragedy unfolded at a rural home south of the Tomah VA in Wisconsin. Rhonda M. Woods, a 43-year-old White woman, was found deceased outside the residence at 25290 Foothill Road. Law enforcement was dispatched to the scene at approximately 7 a.m., where they made the grim discovery. It was reported over the police scanner that a woman was lying outside the house with a bullet wound to her neck.
Upon entering the home, officers found a
second individual, 54-year-old Patrick Woods, also deceased from a gunshot wound. The Monroe County Sheriff's Department and the Medical Examiner's office launched an investigation into the two deaths. Several law enforcement agencies, including the Sparta and Tomah police departments, were present at the scene, along with a Bearcat armored vehicle. Authorities quickly assured the public that this was an isolated incident and there was no ongoing danger to the community.
The investigation led authorities to believe that Patrick Woods shot Rhonda Woods before taking his own life. This conclusion pointed to a murder-suicide. The motive appeared to be connected to the couple's pending divorce. Court records show that Rhonda had filed for divorce on October 29, and a telephone conference regarding the matter had taken place just the day before, on December 12. Another hearing in their case was scheduled for the very day the shootings occurred.
Rhonda, a graduate of Sparta High School, was described as a long-time and well-liked employee at Tomah's Festival Foods, previously known as Burnstad's. She was born on December 21, 1974, in Valley City, North Dakota. After high school, she had also worked as a daycare provider. Her obituary mentioned her enjoyment of golfing and fishing. She was survived by her parents and other relatives.
