Martinsville resident Frederick “Fred” Wooden, 39, died by suicide outside the Henry County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, October 15. Wooden, a local businessman and investor, was found in his vehicle with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Henry County Sheriff Wayne Davis said Wooden arrived at the office parking lot sometime after 8:30 a.m. and never exited his car. “A short time later that individual was found inside of his vehicle deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. We believe that he arrived here alone. He never entered the sheriff’s office nor had any type of interaction personnel previous to being found deceased,” he said.
Though unable to discuss Wooden’s legal history, Davis said witnesses indicated Wooden may have planned to visit the sheriff’s office to discuss potential legal matters.
The medical examiner’s office will determine the official cause and manner of death. “It’s a tragic situation for his family, and our hearts go out to them during this difficult time,” Davis added.
An investigation into the incident is ongoing, Davis said. There is no set timeline for its completion.
