CA - Robert Spohr, 70, fatally shot & Wendy Wood, 68, shot at home, Lake Tahoe, 5 June 2021 *arrest*

[dotr]

Very lengthy.
Julie Brown, SFGATE
Feb. 3, 2022
Police seek new leads in rare, unsolved Tahoe murder (sfgate.com)

Before he was murdered inside his home, Robert Gary Spohr was an avid traveler and adventurer, said his daughter, Adrienne Spohr, at a press conference in Tahoe.

Courtesy of Adrienne Spo

Wendy Wood and Robert Gary Spohr were attacked by a gunman in their home on Tahoe's West Shore on June 5, 2021. Eight months later, authorities are renewing their ask the public to help them find new leads to catch the killer.

Courtesy of Adrienne Spohr
''On Saturday, June 5, 2021, a masked and hooded man ran up the driveway toward the Lake Tahoe home of Robert Gary Spohr and his wife, Wendy Wood.


Hours later, authorities responded to a 911 call and found Spohr dead from a gunshot fired at point-blank range.

They found Wood alive, suffering from two gunshot wounds to her head. She was flown to Renown hospital in Reno, Nevada, for critical medical care.

Eight months have passed since that horrific day, and the case has become a rare, unsolved murder in Lake Tahoe. Authorities are looking to the public to help them with new leads to arrest the killer. The victims’ family is offering a $150,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Spohr’s murder and Wood’s attempted murder.''

''The killer arrived in broad daylight, sometime between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., according to authorities. Surveillance footage from that day showed the hooded and masked man wearing a black backpack and white jogger pants, walking up the bike path and then running up the driveway into Spohr and Woods’ home. The suspect blended in with others that day. Still in the height of the pandemic, many people were wearing masks.

The killer entered the home undetected. There were no signs of a forced entry.''

''Robert Gary Spohr and Wendy Wood were married for 45 years, together for 50 years. They were avid travelers and adventurers. In the 1970s and 1980s, they lived in Afghanistan and Hong Kong. “They were best friends. They were business partners. And they loved each other deeply,” their daughter, Adrienne Spohr, told reporters at Wednesday’s press conference. ''

 

[dotr]

Lake Tahoe homicide: Video released of man outside home – East Bay Times
Feb 2 2022
Family offers reward for answers in Lake Tahoe murder | Unsolved California - YouTube

June 2021
6-5-21 #Homicide in #Homewood #LakeTahoe #California Scanner Recordings SUSPECT AT LARGE - YouTube

 

[dotr]

Robert Gary Spohr - Bing images

Couple Shot In North Lake Tahoe; Person Of Interest Caught On Surveillance Video – Good Day Sacramento (cbslocal.com)

''The short clip shows a person in a hoodie, backpack, grey sweatpants, and a neck gaiter face mask running across a driveway.

“No reason to believe that this could occur at any other home. This does not appear to be a random wild act,” Lt. Resendes said.

The couple’s daughter issued a statement about the shooting. Click here to read it.

Investigators are now hoping that someone recognizes the person. Anyone with information about the person of interest is urged to call the Placer County Sheriff’s Office at (530) 889-7853.''

 

[Lexiintoronto]

I’m looking for similarities to the Barry and Honey Sherman murders: both seniors, murdered in their home, targeted, no sign of forced entry, killer caught on cctv walking to and from the home…

Barry Sherman was litigious. I’ve found one lawsuit the Spohr/Wood couple were involved in. They were accused of over-inflating the value of their company prior to selling it.(Fraud.)

“In June 1998, plaintiff began negotiations to acquire two California companies — TCH Mailhouse, Inc. ("TCH") and GW Enterprises, inc. ("GW"). (Id. ¶ 11) Defendants Spohr and Wood were the sole shareholders of TCH. Defendant Weber was the sole shareholder of GW (Def. Reply App. at 2, ¶ 5). During these, negotiations, defendants portrayed their companies as "the prototype for F.Y.I.'s national growth strategy." (Plf. Orig. Pet. 11). Plaintiff alleges that defendants made "specific representations that it was acquiring ongoing operations with significant profitability and a strong market position in the attractive Sacramento market." ( Id.). The financial statements for these companies showed an operating profit in excess of $900,000. ( Id. ¶ 23). On December 9, 1998, plaintiff entered into separate agreements to acquire TCH and GW. (Id. ¶ 12; Plf. App., Exh. A-2 A-3). These agreements, signed by defendants, contain additional assurances that the companies were financially strong and profitable, that all assets on the balance sheets were in good order, that their financial statements were accurate, and that no omitted liabilities would appear after the transaction closed. (Plf. Orig. Pet. ¶ 13).

Plaintiff subsequently discovered that defendants had misrepresented the financial condition of TCH and GW. (Id. ¶¶ 14-22). An audit revealed that, when the financial statements are adjusted for missing liabilities and fictitious assets, the companies were insolvent. (Id. ¶ 23). This insolvency was due, in large part, to inflated revenues and understated expenses. (Id. ¶ 24.) Moreover, plaintiff has uncovered evidence that defendants have sought leniency from creditors based on their weak financial position. (Id. ¶ 25). None of this information was disclosed to plaintiff by defendants. As a result of the acquisition of these two companies, plaintiffs total market value has been retarded by more than $5 million. (Id. ¶ 26).”
F.Y.I, Inc. v. Spohr, NO. 3-00-CV-1513-P | Casetext Search + Citator

 

[Lexiintoronto]

The family had a dog.

“Adrienne Spohr said luckily her mom, with help from their dog Maggie, woke up and muscled the strength to get to the phone and call 911.”

Family of couple shot near Lake Tahoe still searching for shooter, offers $150K reward

The killer was in the home for hours in wait…with their dog?

 

[dotr]

White pants seem like an odd colour choice of clothing to wear to commit murder, wondering if the perp has a change of clothing in his backpack? imo.

Homewood Homicide - $150,000 Reward for Information
''Reward:
$150,000 for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Robert Gary Spohr and attempted murder of Wendy Wood on June 5, 2021.
How to Deliver Your Information:
Contact the Placer County Sheriff at 530 – 889 – 7853 or bmattiso@placer.ca.gov. Information & tips will only be taken by the Sheriff’s office.''
''On June 5, 2021
He traveled Northbound on West Lake Blvd from Homewood to Tahoe City between 8:30-10:30pm on June 5, 2021''

''Wendy and Gary met in college and were inseparable for the past 50 years. On October 16, 2021, they would have been celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary. More than married, they were each other’s business partner and they were best friends.
On June 5, 2021, an unknown man entered their home, murdered Gary, and attempted to murder Wendy.''
Please help us find this individual as well as anyone who may have assisted him.'

 

[Betty P]

No sign of forced entry.

The police responding to the 911 call said on radio that the garage door was open. The couple had arrived home that evening to find the killer already there. So assume they were shot immediately, before they had a chance to close the garage door?

Doesn't seem like robbery was a motive, the man was there to kill the couple. Why arrive so early and wait so long? The killer seemed to know they wouldn't be home when he broke in, did he know when they would be arriving? I hope LE checked for any cell phone communications from that area. They might possibly find calls from the killer to someone else discussing when the couple would be arriving home.

Dog is there. Interacted with the killer, probably. Was there when Mrs. Wood regained consciousness and helped her get to a phone to call 911.


Timeline

July 5, 2021

3:30 pm to 5:30 pm - Killer walks southbound from Tahoe City to the couple's home and enters.

5:30 pm to 8:30 pm - Spohr/Wood couple arrive home and are shot by the killer who is inside their home. Mr. Spohr is killed, Mrs. Wood wounded. She later regains consciousness and calls 911.

8:30 pm to 10:30 pm - Killer is seen walking from the victims home and walks northbound to Tahoe City.

Hours later, Mrs. Wood manages to get to a phone to call EMS

The latest news video posted says the police have a person of interest, but need more info, asking for anyone with video from a security cam. I suppose they're trying to find out how the killer got started on his walk to the Spohr/Wood home. Did he walk from a bus stop? Did a car drop him off? Did he leave from his own home/apartment?

I get a feeling the killer was someone known to the couple or knows someone close to them. He seemed to know they weren't home and waited there for them to return. I can imagine him waiting a while, then calling or texting someone to say "Hey, they're not home yet. I thought you said they would be home by now." or something similar.

<modsnip>

ETA: Updated timeline to show time period of killer walking to and from the crime scene.

ETA2: Updated to show there was no forced entry, per link above.

 

[Betty P]

He traveled Northbound on West Lake Blvd from Homewood to Tahoe City between 8:30-10:30pm on June 5, 2021''

Here's a map showing the road to Homewood. CA from Tahoe City, CA

Google Maps

It's 6.2 miles and according to Google Maps, would take 2 hours and 3 minutes to walk. So, the 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm time works.

FWIW, there are also marinas at Tahoe City and Homewood.

 

[Lexiintoronto]

Any sign of forced entry? The police responding to the 911 call said on radio that the garage door was open. The couple had arrived home that evening to find the killer already there. So assume they were shot immediately, before they had a chance to close the garage door?

Doesn't seem like robbery was a motive, the man was there to kill the couple. Why arrive so early and wait so long? The killer seemed to know they wouldn't be home when he broke in, did he know when they would be arriving? I hope LE checked for any cell phone communications from that area. They might possibly find calls from the killer to someone else discussing when the couple would be arriving home.

Dog is there. Interacted with the killer, probably. Was there when Mrs. Wood regained consciousness and helped her get to a phone to call 911.


Timeline

July 5, 2021

Updated 8:30 to 10:30 pm - Killer walks to the couple's home and enters.

Late Evening -

Spohr/Wood couple arrive home.
Killer is still there and shoots both, killing one.
Mrs. Wood manages to get to a phone to call EMS

The latest news video posted says the police have a person of interest, but need more info, asking for anyone with video from a security cam. I suppose they're trying to find out how the killer got started on his walk to the Spohr/Wood home. Did he walk from a bus stop? Did a car drop him off? Did he leave from his own home/apartment?

I get a feeling the killer was someone known to the couple or knows someone close to them. He seemed to know they weren't home and waited there for them to return. I can imagine him waiting a while, then calling or texting someone to say "Hey, they're not home yet. I thought you said they would be home by now." or something similar.

I also found it odd the daughter said she was glad her recovering mother couldn't remember what happened because she wouldn't want her to have the memory of the husband being killed next to her. Hmmm. I don't ever recall a murder case where a relative of the victims said something like that. JMO

ETA: Updated the timeline to show info in your post above. Does that mean the killer walked for 2 hours to get to the victims' home? That's a long way to walk.

Yes, caught on cctv walking towards the home for a two-hour period, then returned the same way.

“He traveled southbound on West Lake Blvd from Tahoe City to Homewood between 3:30-5:30pm on June 5, 2021

He traveled Northbound on West Lake Blvd from Homewood to Tahoe City between 8:30-10:30pm on June 5, 2021”
Homewood Homicide - $150,000 Reward for Information

ETA: No sign of forced entry.

 

[Betty P]

Yes, caught on cctv walking towards the home for a two-hour period, then returned the same way.

“He traveled southbound on West Lake Blvd from Tahoe City to Homewood between 3:30-5:30pm on June 5, 2021

He traveled Northbound on West Lake Blvd from Homewood to Tahoe City between 8:30-10:30pm on June 5, 2021”
Homewood Homicide - $150,000 Reward for Information

Thanks! Got it. I thought it looked really bright outside in the video for being 8:30 pm, even for July.

It was timed so well. I really hope they were able to check local cell towers for phone activity during that time.

Timeline above is updated, thanks. It's such a tight timeline. It seems to indicate the killer had an accomplice or had personal knowledge of the couple's schedule that day. Also possible someone was following them and reporting to the killer by text or phone call.

ETA: And yes, they probably brought along a change of some clothing in the backpack, along with the weapon, etc.

It's not Anton Chigurh is it? Sounds like him. I wonder if he sat around afterwards and had a glass of milk? Seriously, it was very cold blooded and calculating. Terrifying, everyone's worst nightmare.

 

[Lexiintoronto]

Here's a map showing the road to Homewood. CA from Tahoe City, CA

Google Maps

It's 6.2 miles and according to Google Maps, would take 2 hours and 3 minutes to walk. So, the 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm time works.

FWIW, there are also marinas at Tahoe City and Homewood.

Thank you for the map, it’s very helpful. From google maps:

I’m Canadian, I didn’t understand what I was looking at. It’s ski hills.



Homewood Trail Map - Piste Map - Panoramic Mountain Map
So he may have taken a boat at the marina, as you suggested, or went through the trails.(?)

 

[Betty P]

Thank you for the map, it’s very helpful. From google maps:
View attachment 332780
I’m Canadian, I didn’t understand what I was looking at. It’s ski hills.

View attachment 332781

Homewood Trail Map - Piste Map - Panoramic Mountain Map
So he may have taken a boat at the marina, as you suggested, or went through the trails.(?)

Yes, a lot of skiing, resorts and casinos in this area. Lots of tourism and real estate prices are rather steep. Beautiful area and most of the towns around Lake Tahoe probably have very good LE. As they noted in the article, the road the killer walked along would've had a lot of auto traffic during that day. I remember reading during the beginning of the pandemic that a lot of IT and similar professionals from Silicon Valley, SF and other areas were moving to Lake Tahoe so they could work remotely.

I can recall a some cold case murders that happened back in the 80's or so in South Lake Tahoe area, but that's about it. They don't have too many murders like this in the area.

 

[Lexiintoronto]

Very lengthy.
Julie Brown, SFGATE
Feb. 3, 2022
Police seek new leads in rare, unsolved Tahoe murder (sfgate.com)

Before he was murdered inside his home, Robert Gary Spohr was an avid traveler and adventurer, said his daughter, Adrienne Spohr, at a press conference in Tahoe.

Courtesy of Adrienne Spo

Wendy Wood and Robert Gary Spohr were attacked by a gunman in their home on Tahoe's West Shore on June 5, 2021. Eight months later, authorities are renewing their ask the public to help them find new leads to catch the killer.

Courtesy of Adrienne Spohr
''On Saturday, June 5, 2021, a masked and hooded man ran up the driveway toward the Lake Tahoe home of Robert Gary Spohr and his wife, Wendy Wood.


Hours later, authorities responded to a 911 call and found Spohr dead from a gunshot fired at point-blank range.

They found Wood alive, suffering from two gunshot wounds to her head. She was flown to Renown hospital in Reno, Nevada, for critical medical care.

Eight months have passed since that horrific day, and the case has become a rare, unsolved murder in Lake Tahoe. Authorities are looking to the public to help them with new leads to arrest the killer. The victims’ family is offering a $150,000 reward for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Spohr’s murder and Wood’s attempted murder.''

''The killer arrived in broad daylight, sometime between 3:30 and 5:30 p.m., according to authorities. Surveillance footage from that day showed the hooded and masked man wearing a black backpack and white jogger pants, walking up the bike path and then running up the driveway into Spohr and Woods’ home. The suspect blended in with others that day. Still in the height of the pandemic, many people were wearing masks.

The killer entered the home undetected. There were no signs of a forced entry.''

''Robert Gary Spohr and Wendy Wood were married for 45 years, together for 50 years. They were avid travelers and adventurers. In the 1970s and 1980s, they lived in Afghanistan and Hong Kong. “They were best friends. They were business partners. And they loved each other deeply,” their daughter, Adrienne Spohr, told reporters at Wednesday’s press conference. ''

Their daughter who is quoted is referred to as their ‘youngest daughter’ in some stories and she has said ‘our parents’, but I don’t know how many children they have.

In your article about the police have said they have a person of interest that they don’t want to name—so they just don’t know who the shooter is.

 

[Warwick1991]

Both Spohr and Wood were involved in a dispute with their local water company, Tahoe Park, that involved both litigation and threats. The couple threatened to use a firearm against Tahoe Park employees during the replacement of a hydropneumatic tank. Link: https://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M240/K052/240052107.pdf. The link is from the California Public Utilities Commission.

The water company needed to hire special protection during construction, and had added expenses of litigation due to disputes and threats from Spohr and Wood. A HOA also had to absorb some of the expenses. I’m not sure whether the couple’s property was inside the HOA.

It sounds like the couple could have made some enemies during this situation.

 

[Lux et Veritas]

Nothing stolen.

The killer WAITED for them to come home. If this was a random or spree / thrill killing, seems the gunman would have immediately moved on to the next home.

At first blush, this would certainly seem to be a targeted "hit".

 

[Lexiintoronto]

Both Spohr and Wood were involved in a dispute with their local water company, Tahoe Park, that involved both litigation and threats. The couple threatened to use a firearm against Tahoe Park employees during the replacement of a hydropneumatic tank. Link: https://docs.cpuc.ca.gov/PublishedDocs/Published/G000/M240/K052/240052107.pdf. The link is from the California Public Utilities Commission.

The water company needed to hire special protection during construction, and had added expenses of litigation due to disputes and threats from Spohr and Wood. A HOA also had to absorb some of the expenses. I’m not sure whether the couple’s property was inside the HOA.

It sounds like the couple could have made some enemies during this situation.

That is shocking.

Spohr was convicted of assault during the dispute. And it mentions they have tenants. From your link:

“Construction Protection
In the course of the construction to replace the Neilsen Hydropneumatic Tank and enclosure, adjacent property owners Wendy Wood and Gary Spohr threatened in writing to use a firearm against Tahoe Park employees working at the site. Wood and Spohr also interfered with and delayed the work, at one point physically blocking access to the site with vehicles. Tahoe Park obtained restraining orders against Wood and Spohr from Placer County Superior Court.6 Subsequently, Spohr was convicted of violating the restraining order after he assaulted a Tahoe Park employee on the job site.
6 Placer County Superior Court Case Nos. SCV 0038366 & 00383667 11

Resolution W-5178 November 8, 2018 WD
Spohr was sentenced to a year in jail (suspended) and fined $1,000. The Court awarded Tahoe Park $10,152 in attorney’s fees, which was credited to the cost account. Tahoe Park asked the Court for an extension of time to complete the tank replacement, which the Court granted.
Total amount for Construction Protection is $46,990.
Construction Injuries and Damages
Alleged injuries and damages in connection with the Nielsen tank house construction resulted in defense costs against the adjacent property owners, Wood and Spohr. The property owners alleged that the noise generated during construction drove out their renters and caused loss of rent. Ultimately, the claim was dropped in a negotiated settlement, Work and Spohr also claimed that the new tank house was not built in accordance with the settlement agreement.”

 

[Betty P]

Well, that opens up more possibilities for motive. Disgruntled renter or neighbor of the rental property? If they're so hostile towards utility workers, they might be the same towards other people they interact with or live near. I wonder how they behave towards a renter who is late, especially during the pandemic.

Here's a link to the Placer County, CA Property Records

error.jsp

A search for the previous year shows their names on the easement for Tahoe Park Water Company

If construction noise was so loud as to make a renter move out, that would be a significant loss of income for the owners. Rents in that area are probably pretty high. If the property was mortgaged, it probably was a big problem for the Spohr/Woods. If the threat to the water company was sent in a letter, JMO, it wasn't quite the same as showing up with a gun to harass workers (which it appears they did NOT do).

 

[Betty P]

Here's another news video I came across. It has a photo of their home and includes a few more details about the murder. The officer said the killer left some things behind. They waited until dark to leave the property, too.
The daughter mentions how she is fearful that the killer is still out there, can't say I blame her.

Tahoe family puts up $150,000 reward for info to help find victims' killer

ETA: Without going into detail, I checked on the Tahoe City property they own. If I'm reading records correctly, it's a very nice house with high value and the estimated monthly rent (from Zillow) is very, very high. So, yes, causing that much noise and disruption, having a renter leave, etc. would have been a big deal.

In 2020, the population was 1,555 people.
Sunnyside-Tahoe City Demographics - Get Current Census Data for Sunnyside-Tahoe City, CA

The renter leaving and disagreement with the water company might not be related to the murders, but JMO, the connection to Tahoe City, where the killer was first spotted walking to their home seems important. Tahoe City is not a big town.

 

[dotr]

The perp was not wearing white pants as i previously speculated upthread, they are grey sweatpants. fwiw.

''The short clip shows a person in a hoodie, backpack, grey sweatpants, and a neck gaiter face mask running across a driveway.''
robert spohr, 70 - Bing images

 

[DropthePuck]

I'm kind of perplexed by their actions with the water company, TBH. I've always thought citizens really don't get a say in any kind of utility company construction project so we have to basically suck it up while they do their work and fervently hope it will be over soon. And what did they think a written threat of using a firearm would accomplish? It seems extreme to even mention a firearm. Anyways, it does make one wonder if they've had other disagreements with people that turned nasty and they ticked off the wrong person.