Woman Who Mourned Husband’s Death On Facebook Charged With Murder
Nine months after his death, a Virginia woman who mourned the loss of her husband on Facebook was charged with murder on Monday.
The Fairfax County Police Department reports that Kimhoang Pham LaRocque, 35, was charged with second-degree murder for the death of her husband Eric LaRocque, 33, and the use of a firearm during the commission of a felony.
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On July 31, 2015, police responded to a 911 call about an unresponsive man at 1822 Midlothian Court in Vienna, a little after a 6:30 p.m. When they arrived, authorities found Eric LaRocque in his bedroom, lying on the floor, lifeless from a gunshot wound to his upper body. Shortly after, investigators seized a handgun, a bullet, cellphones, an iPad, a blood-stained pillow, and computers from the home.
After analyzing the gun, the Office of the Medical Examiner determined that Eric LaRocque’s death was a homicide. Yet, it took months before authorities could tie the shooting to his wife. According to Fairfax County police Officer Tawny Wright,
“Investigations determined there was a domestic incident. Somehow it led to a 35-year-old woman killing her 33-year-old husband.”
New York Daily News reports that Kimhoang LaRocque was arrested without incident on Monday evening, as she left her job at Fannie Mae. Months earlier, she took to Facebook to mourn her husband’s death. She posted a picture button with her husband’s initials and wrote, “Forever in Our Hearts.” Her post received over 50 “Likes” and numerous supportive comments. One Facebook user wrote,
“Kim, I heard of your terrible loss. I cannot even imagine what you’re going through. I’m sending you and your beautiful family all the love and strength that I have. I hope you know how much support this world has for you and your kids. Love you.”
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Neighbors indicated that they didn’t hear or see anything unusual on the day of the shooting. The LaRocques lived in the neighborhood for about three years, and seemed to be a normal, happy family. Eric often went for bike rides and was considered a “model dad,” according to neighbor George Mangano.
Eric LaRocque was a project manager for Dewberry Consultants. He graduated from Virginia Tech with a Master of Engineering. He met his wife while attending college. After they married, two children followed. Family members wrote that he was passionate about outdoors, and loved to spend time at Whiteface Mountain in Lake Champlain. During high school, he played trombone in the school’s jazz band and excelled at golf.
Carmen Bere, 34, who worked with Eric at Dewberry Consultants, issued a statement last year after learning about his death. The fellow engineer said that Eric LaRocque was well-liked at work and considered a talented and dedicated engineer. He often spoke about his family, enamored with his two children, and according to Bere, was humble despite his vast knowledge.
“He was incredible. It’s very hard for me to say ‘was,’ because it’s still unreal. He was just extremely knowledgeable, very well-spoken, humble on top of everything.”
Family members issued a statement shortly after hearing of Kimhoang LaRocque’s arrest, thanking authorities for endlessly working to solve case. They did admit, however, that they found no solace in the criminal proceedings and Kimhoang’s arrest.
“We find no comfort in these proceedings but they are important to all who knew and loved Eric. Our focus is on Eric’s children, Jackie and Lou. We thank our family and friends and Eric’s friends for their continued support and ask for your thoughts and prayers as these proceedings continue.”
Kimhoang Pham LaRocque remains at the Fairfax County Adult Detention Center without bond. So far, authorities haven’t released a motive for the shooting.
[Image via Fairfax County Police Department]
