Full Notification

The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office began investigating an apparent murder suicide which took place at the Ocean Cove Campground, a remote area in Sonoma County, just north of Timber Cove.  The investigation began when a call came into the Sheriff’s Office at approximately 5:11 this morning from the daughter of 71 year old, Robert Wade and 72 year old, Maria Wade.  The caller stated her father (Robert) called her and said he shot his wife (Maria). The daughter was aware that her parents were living at the Ocean Grove Campground in Timber Cove.

Deputies responded and arrived at the campground at 5:49 AM.  The deputies located the camper trailer Robert and Maria had been living in. As the deputies entered the camper trailer to check on Robert and Maria they saw that both of them and a dog were deceased. Robert, Maria and their dog appeared to have died from an apparent gunshot wounds. Deputies set up a crime scene and called detectives to investigate the incident.
The Sheriff’s Office Violent Crime Investigations Unit responded and began an investigation into the incident. Detectives located a handgun in the camper and were able to determine that Robert had shot Maria and their dog and then took his own life. 

During the course of this investigation, detectives learned that the Sheriff’s Office had responded to this location on February 25, 2019 and that Maria had been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer and at that time she was suicidal and had held a gun to her head. Maria was taken for a mental health evaluation and two handguns were removed from their home and still remain in Sheriff’s custody.

Both Maria and Robert have extensive medical and financial issues which were getting worse with time.  Their daughter was contacted and interviewed, although she was not in town at the time of the incident.  Her cooperation was instrumental to the investigation and the understanding of what took place at the scene of the murder/suicide.

Everyone who detectives have spoken with have been consistent and corroborated what detectives understood to have happened.  However, if there is anyone that has any further information in relationship to this case, please contact the Violent Crime Investigations Unit at 707-565-2185.