Chehalis jury sides with family in trooper death

CHEHALIS — A jury in Lewis County ruled Tuesday the county coroner was wrong to conclude that a former state trooper who was leaving her husband committed suicide.

The 12-member jury reached an unanimous verdict in the case of Ronda Reynolds, whose 1998 death was ruled a suicide by Lewis County Coroner Terry Wilson.

Reynolds’ mother, Barbara Thompson, filed a civil lawsuit because she believed her daughter’s death was a homicide and hoped the jury would overrule the coroner.

Thompson cried quietly Tuesday as the verdict was read in her favor, The Daily News of Longview reported.

Reynolds was a 33-year-old former state trooper in the process of breaking up with her husband when she was found dead from a gunshot wound on Dec. 16, 1998, at her home.

Her husband, Toledo Elementary School Principal Ron Reynolds, told investigators he found his wife’s body that morning under an electric blanket in their walk-in closet off the bedroom of their Toledo home. He told authorities he did not hear the gunshot and was not involved in the death.

Thompson worked to fight the coroner’s conclusion. During the trial, her team called an array of witnesses, including firearms and pathology specialists.

After the verdict, Wilson said he would not reconsider the cause of death on Reynolds’ death certificate.

“They told me not to say anything,” Wilson told The Daily News. “I have to talk to my lawyer.”

Jurors faced three questions in the case:

  • Was the coroner’s determination of suicide accurate? Jurors said “no.”

    Did you find the coroner’s determination of suicide more likely than not? Jurors said “not likely.”

    Did you find the coroner’s determination of suicide arbitrary and capricious? Jurors said “yes.”

    Lewis County sheriff’s investigators and Wilson ruled the case a suicide 11 years ago. The State Attorney General’s Office reviewed the case in 2006 and agreed with that determination.

    Talk to us

    > Give us your news tips.

    > Send us a letter to the editor.

    > More Herald contact information.

  • More in Local News

    Traffic moves across the US 2 trestle between Everett and Lake Stevens on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    $25M has been spent studying US 2 trestle. Are we any closer to a fix?

    Over the past decade, half a dozen studies have examined the infamous arterial connecting Everett and Lake Stevens.

    The former Waits Motel property along 13th Street and Lombard Avenue on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Everett takes steps to redevelop Waits Motel property

    This month, the city presented plans to sell the property to the highest bidder, with conditions. Some council members opposed.

    Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
    Charges: Suspect shot man 6 times south of Snohomish

    On Friday, prosecutors charged two men in connection with the Sept. 14 killing of Joshua Wilson, 29.

    From left to right, Rick Larsen and Cody Hart.
    ‘MAGA Republican’ looks to unseat Everett’s Larsen in Congress

    The candidates to represent Everett in Congress differ on hot button issues including abortion and gun control.

    The Arlington City Council will discuss asking voters to consider annexing its fire department to North County Fire & EMS. (North County Fire)
    North County EMS is underfunded and understaffed, workers say

    The fire agency that serves about 45,000 people has lacked emergency medical leadership for six months.

    From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lindsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)
    Navy crash victims from Whidbey, both 31, identified

    On Tuesday afternoon, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay “Miley” Evans and Lt. Serena “Dug” Wileman crashed near Mount Rainier.

    Wildfire smoke builds over Darrington on Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 in Darrington, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Darrington, Marysville tackle wood smoke to address poor air quality

    Officials have launched local programs to help. But residents may need more support.

    The Everett Herald’s newest environmental issues reporter Eliza Aronson. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    The Herald welcomes new environment reporter

    Eliza Aronson joined the Everett newsroom this week.

    Participants in the Guinness World Record Beard Chain Attempt lineup to get their beards clipped together to be measured at Pacific Rim Park on Friday, Nov. 1, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Country’s longest beards descend on Everett in pursuit of record

    The grizzled group of 40 didn’t reach the mark they wanted Friday, but they had a good time anyway.

    Matt Saldivar, a lead mechanic at Boeing for 5 years, smiles while picketing with other Boeing workers on strike on Monday, Sept. 16, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
    Boeing: Strike vote will have no effect on planned layoffs

    The company said notices to 17,000 workers will be delivered this month, with their last day set for Jan. 17.

    The Washington state Capitol building in February. (Bill Lucia / Washington State Standard)
    Voters are about to remake WA Legislature. Here are 7 races to watch.

    Democrats hope to grow their majorities in the state House and Senate. The path may be through a local race.

    Authorities rescued a woman in her 70s from Lake Stevens on Friday morning. (Photo provided by Snohomish Regional Fire and Rescue)
    Police rescue woman from submerged car in Lake Stevens

    When authorities found the woman, she had no pulse. But paramedics were able to regain a pulse and she was taken to the hospital.

    Support local journalism

    If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.