Charges Dropped Against Woman In Man’s Suicide

Fremont County Sheriff’s Office says that charges have been dismissed against a woman after her significant other’s death has been ruled a suicide.

Deputies tell KRDO Newschannel 13 that a 53-year-old male was found shot Sunday evening. Deputies responded to the home on a report that the man, 53-year-old Claude Ouellette, shot himself in the head. Ouellette was lying on the floor of the couple’s motorhome parked at the Mountaindale Campground. A handgun was located near the victim.

45-year-old Valorie Jean Rice was questioned and subsequently placed into custody for domestic violence harassment. Rice had been in the motorhome with Ouellette at the time of the shooting. Witnesses stated that Rice and the victim had been fighting just before the shooting.

All charges have now been dismissed against Rice and Ouellette’s death has officially been ruled a suicide. Review of the shooting scene evidence and results of Ouellette’s support Ric’s claim that he shot himself.