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Details emerge in Sanders County murder arrest

Posted at 10:20 AM, Mar 21, 2019
and last updated 2019-03-21 12:32:30-04

THOMPSON FALLS – We have learned more about a months-long investigation has led to an arrest in a murder case in Northwest Montana.

Danielle Jeanette Wood is charged with one count of deliberate homicide in the death of Matthew George LaFriniere, 51.

Wood and LaFriniere share a child together and court documents describe their custody battle over her as “contentious”.

Thmopson Falls Murder Map
(MTN News image)

Law enforcement responded to reports of a man found unresponsive under a piece of plywood in Thompson Falls in May of 2018.

Investigators learned that a bullet found during the autopsy matched a handgun that Woods had recently purchased.

LaFriniere also had several other gunshot wounds to his chest and back which proved to be fatal.

Wood was taken into custody is being held on a $1 million bond in the Sanders County jail.

Read the court documents here. (pdf)