Maine Man Pleads Guilty to Wife’s Murder, Sentenced to 45 Years
A Maine man who fatally shot his estranged wife after ramming her car has pleaded guilty to murder and received a lengthy prison sentence.
David Gaudreau, 60, admitted in court to killing 59-year-old Dale Gaudreau on May 28, 2024, in Peru, Maine. He was sentenced Friday to 45 years in prison, a term that effectively amounts to life behind bars.
The Crime
According to prosecutors, Gaudreau followed his wife’s vehicle as she drove home from work. He rammed his truck into her car before firing multiple shots, killing her at the scene. Several neighbors reported hearing gunfire around 7 p.m., with one initially mistaking the sounds for fireworks before realizing they were Dale Gaudreau’s screams.
Another witness described seeing two vehicles speeding side by side with windows down just before the shots rang out. Police later confirmed Dale Gaudreau died instantly from her injuries.
The violent incident forced the closure of Route 108 overnight, which led to school closures in the area the following day.
Aftermath and Confession
Following the shooting, Gaudreau called several family members, confessing that he had killed his wife. Just before 11:30 p.m., he turned himself in to authorities and was booked into Oxford County Jail on a murder charge.
During his initial court appearance, Gaudreau reportedly sobbed uncontrollably and at one point exclaimed, “What have I f—ing done?”
A History of Strain
Court records revealed that Dale Gaudreau had left her husband just a week earlier and was pursuing a legal separation. Investigators believe her decision to leave the marriage was a trigger for the fatal attack.
Initially, Gaudreau pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder. However, he later reversed course, entering a guilty plea that led to his sentencing.
Sentencing
At Friday’s hearing, the judge handed down a 45-year prison sentence, reflecting both the severity of the crime and Gaudreau’s admission of guilt. For the 60-year-old, the sentence will likely mean spending the rest of his life behind bars.
Authorities stressed that the killing highlights the devastating consequences of domestic violence and reiterated the importance of community awareness and support for those seeking to leave abusive relationships.
