RYE TWP., Pa. – A 56-year-old man is charged with homicide after police say he fatally shot his wife during a domestic dispute in their Perry County home and left their young son alone with her body for hours.
State police said troopers responded to a residence on New Valley Road between Sunday night and Monday morning, where they found 38-year-old Samantha Lynn Fields dead inside the home.
Her husband, Douglas Wayne Snyder of Marysville, was taken into custody at the scene. Investigators said Snyder admitted to firing the fatal shot, telling police he “snapped” after his wife threw a book at him. According to a criminal complaint, Snyder claimed the shooting was accidental, though detectives charged him with intentional homicide.
Police said the couple’s son was left alone in the home with his mother’s body for several hours before Snyder contacted authorities.
Snyder has been arraigned on charges of criminal homicide and endangering the welfare of children. He was denied bail and is being held at Perry County Prison.
The investigation is ongoing.
Donate to victim’s GoFundMe page here.
Key Points
- Douglas Wayne Snyder, 56, is accused of killing his wife, Samantha Lynn Fields, 38, in their Perry County home
- Police say Snyder admitted to the shooting after a domestic dispute and left their child alone with the victim’s body
- Snyder is charged with homicide and child endangerment and is being held without bail
A quiet township turned into a crime scene after what police call a deadly case of domestic violence.
