In the quiet town of Palmyra, Indiana, a violent home invasion shattered the peace and left a newlywed couple fighting for their lives. On a Wednesday morning in January 2016, Ralph Thomas and his wife, Rebecca, were shot inside their residence on Huff Street. The attack was brutal; Ralph Thomas was shot in the head, leaving him in grave condition, while Rebecca was shot through the shoulder.
Both were rushed to University Hospital for urgent medical care.
Despite the efforts of medical professionals, Ralph Thomas succumbed to his injuries and passed away on a Friday, just days after the shooting. His death prompted a swift investigation by the Harrison County Sheriff's Department, who quickly identified two suspects: Travis Fentress and Tara Van Winkle, both residents of Harrison County. Investigators believed that Fentress was the one who pulled the trigger, injuring both Ralph and Rebecca. A search for the suspects began, with law enforcement believing they had fled the scene in a white Kia with Florida license plates. The motive for the violent act was suspected to be related to drugs, as both the victims and the suspects had past involvement with narcotics.
The manhunt for Fentress and Van Winkle came to an end the day after the shooting, when they were apprehended at a Walmart in Madison, Indiana. Fentress was found inside the store, while Van Winkle was located in the parking lot. Following their capture, the legal process began. Travis Fentress was formally charged with murder. Tara Van Winkle also faced a murder charge, in addition to a strangulation charge, for her role in the fatal home invasion.
