Karen Wood, The Untold Story
That Fateful Day
- The tragic events of November 15, 1988, in Hermon, Maine, left a community in shock and a family shattered.
- Dr. Kevin Wood, a dedicated professional, had just embarked on a promising career working with children with psychological issues.
- His wife of 13 years, Karen, was relishing their new life in Maine, caring for their baby twin daughters, Laura and Lindsey, and decorating their dream home.
- However, that fateful day, their lives took a devastating turn, overshadowing the details of Karen Wood’s tragic death with an argument over the ownership of the woods.
A New Beginning
On that crisp morning in November, Dr. Kevin Wood’s optimism was palpable as he prepared to embark on a fulfilling career.
He cherished his family, showering affection on his twin daughters.
His commitment to helping children with psychological challenges made this new position at the Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor feel like “the perfect job.”
Their New Home
Meanwhile, Karen Wood, his loving wife, was equally enthusiastic about their fresh start in Maine.
With immense dedication, she adorned their new home and cared for their infant daughters with boundless love and affection.
The couple’s radiant happiness was evident in everything they did, making them stand out even among casual acquaintances.
The Tragic Afternoon
- However, tragedy struck in the afternoon of that day.
- For reasons unknown, Karen momentarily left her wallpapering project to step out onto their deck, overlooking the woods.
- In the clearing, not far from Karen, a hunter named Donald Rogerson took aim with his high-powered deer rifle and fired.
- The shots were too close for comfort, alarming a neighbor, Cheryl Hamlin, who immediately called the sheriff upon hearing cries for help.
The Shocking Discovery
- As the events unfolded, Kevin Wood was tending to a distressed young girl in the emergency room, not knowing that his world was about to crumble.
- He received a call from the sheriff’s department, urging him to return home urgently.
- The news report on his car radio hinted at a hunting accident in Hermon, leaving him bewildered.
- But it was only upon reaching his property, swarmed by law enforcement, that the brutal reality hit him – Karen was dead, struck fatally by one of Rogerson’s bullets.
The Aftermath
In the wake of this nightmarish tragedy, events took an unreal turn.
Rogerson was swiftly arrested for manslaughter, and game wardens took over the investigation due to the hunting-related nature of the incident.
They meticulously combed through the crime scene, collecting evidence deep into the night. The medical examiner arrived late, and Karen’s lifeless body was eventually taken away.
Closure And Legal Proceedings
- The following day, Kevin faced the heart-wrenching task of bringing Karen’s body back to their hometown in Binghamton, New York, where their love story had begun.
- The investigation led by Gary Sargent, the warden in charge, aimed to gather extensive evidence for the impending trial, promising some form of closure to this harrowing ordeal.
- Over the next few days, the wardens left no stone unturned, meticulously documenting every aspect of the incident, including measurements, photographs, videotapes, and even aerial images.
- The tree by which Karen had stood when she was shot was cut down to retrieve the second bullet.
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Karen Wood: Cause Of Death
In a picturesque setting outside Bangor, Maine, on a beautiful November afternoon in 1988, tragedy struck when Karen Ann Wood lost her life in her own backyard.
The 37-year-old mother of twin baby girls fell victim to a fatal gunshot wound inflicted by a deer hunter named Donald Rogerson.
What followed was a controversial and emotional case that stirred debates in a state where the time-honored traditions of hunting clashed with the encroachment of suburban life.
A Clash of Traditions And Modernity
- Maine, known for its rich hunting heritage, has seen a transformation in recent years.
- What was once prime deer-hunting territory had evolved into a suburban landscape with industrial parks and new homes.
- Karen and her husband, Kevin, had relocated from Davenport, Iowa, to the Bangor area in July 1988, seeking a fresh start and an opportunity to settle in the East.
- They had put off having children until Kevin, a child psychologist, established his career.
The Fateful Day
A month after their move, the Woods settled into their new home in the quiet neighborhood of Treadwell Acres.
What was once a dense forest had given way to suburban development.
On that fateful day, Karen ventured into her backyard, leaving her year-old twins inside the house. Little did she know that her life would be cut short.
The Hunters’ Perspective
Donald Rogerson, a 45-year-old produce manager at a local supermarket and an avid hunter, had entered the woods that day with a hunting companion, Peter Anderson, a Bangor lawyer.
According to Rogerson’s account to local reporters, they had parked their pickup truck about 200 yards past the Woods’ house, unmistakably close to a residential neighborhood. The weather was clear, and the time was around 2:45 in the afternoon.
Karen Wood’s Death Case
Karen Wood’s death 25 years later: BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) — The case of Karen Wood drew national attenti… http://t.co/zPaXZdWct3
— Bangor NewsChannel (@bangor_nc) November 16, 2013
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A Tragic Mistake
One of the Woods’ neighbors, Cheryl Hamlin, had returned home earlier that day and did not recall hearing any gunshots until the two fatal shots that took Karen’s life.
Treadwell Acres was just five miles from Bangor International Airport, and low-flying jet airliners were a common sight and sound.
It’s plausible that Karen ventured outside due to her concern about the hunters’ proximity to her property.
The Investigation
Despite the veil of secrecy surrounding the case, some critical details emerged in the days following the tragedy.
Investigators determined that Karen was around 130 feet from her house when the bullets struck her. Rogerson, at the time of the shooting, was 319 feet away from the Woods’ house. Under Maine law, hunters must maintain a minimum distance of 300 feet from residences when discharging firearms.
The Shots Fired
- Rogerson fired two shots in quick succession, claiming he had a deer in his sights.
- However, there was no evidence of a deer in the vicinity, no blood, tracks, or other indications.
- His second shot appeared to be directed at what he later referred to as “two white flags.”
- These turned out to be Karen’s white mittens. Shooting at a deer’s rump is considered poor hunting practice and can lead to an ineffective and inhumane kill.
The Aftermath
Rogerson rushed to Karen’s side upon discovering her on the ground, initially relieved to see only a small amount of blood on her shoulder.
However, upon closer examination, he found a severe wound to her upper right chest. Karen was still alive but struggling to breathe.
An ambulance was called, but tragically, Karen’s life could not be saved.
The Mystery Surrounding The Incident
There are many speculations about why Karen Wood was outside on that fateful day.
Some believe she was doing laundry, while others suggest she might have been trying to alert hunters that they were too close to her home.
The truth about her intentions remains shrouded in mystery, but one thing became clear – this tragedy brought to light a significant issue.
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Karen Wood: Other Details
A Day That Haunts Hermon
- “I still remember almost every detail of it to this day,” said Sherman Mason of Hermon, a testament to the lasting impact of that fateful day.
- The incident unfolded when Karen Wood, a mother of twin baby girls, was shot and killed by a deer hunter named Donald Rogerson in the very backyard of her Hermon residence, which she shared with her husband.
- Rogerson was charged, but the jury later acquitted him, as he claimed he had mistakenly identified Wood as a deer.
Tragedy Unfolded
As the tragedy unfolded, the community rallied together. Retired Game Warden Gary Sargent recalled, “He went to her, shortly thereafter, several people arrived
He stayed there with the victim and was put in his vehicle while the ambulance came, but she had died fairly quickly after the gunshot.”
Sherman Mason, one of the first EMTs on the scene that night, vividly remembers the somber atmosphere.
Legislative Response
State legislator Paul Jacques and others recognized the need for reform.
They worked tirelessly to create new laws addressing the issues exposed by the Wood case.
The result was a standard of conduct for hunters that emphasized target identification and knowing what lies beyond the target before firing. These changes aimed to prevent future tragedies.
Honoring Karen’s Wishes
- In honor of Karen’s wishes, instead of sending flowers, she has requested that everyone consider making donations to the Mississippi Animal Rescue League. This request reflects her lifelong dedication to the cause of animal rescue and welfare.
- Karen Woods’ life was a testament to the power of compassion and dedication.
- Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched and the animals she rescued.
- As we bid farewell to this remarkable woman, let us remember her not for the pain of her passing, but for the love and kindness she shared with the world.
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