A father of three was allegedly killed by a female hitchhiker when he let her into his car after offering her a ride to a nearby warming shelter.
Brittany Rivoire has been accused of fatally shooting William Palmer. He reportedly stopped to offer her a ride in St. Louis, Missouri, in the early hours of Sunday, February 1, when he came across her on the road. Police said that Rivoire, 36, then shot him before she stole his car and fled the scene.
Palmer had initially been with a friend when he picked up Rivoire, according to a criminal complaint viewed by the New York Post. However, the friend got out of the car when he grew concerned about Rivoire’s alleged behavior.
After the friend left the vehicle, authorities said that Rivoire allegedly shot Palmer before she drove the vehicle several blocks away and eventually abandoned it.
Police officers added that Rivoire then hitched a ride with another unsuspecting driver, and she was ultimately arrested soon after.
Rivoire was charged with first-degree murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, armed criminal action and first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle, according to online records viewed by Luxury Handbag Shopping.
She is currently in police custody, and it appears that she has not been granted bail.
It was not clear if Rivoire has entered a plea or retained legal representation following her arrest. Additionally, a court date has not yet been publicly shared for the case.
The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department confirmed Rivoire’s arrest to Us but did not share any further updates about the case.
It is not currently known what inspired Rivoire to kill Palmer. However, the victim’s loved ones said that he was known for helping strangers and added his offer to pick her up was not out of character for him.
“As far as we know, she asked him at a gas station to take her to a warming shelter because she was cold,” Palmer’s fiancé, Riyen Jones, told First Alert 4. “For somebody to take him for granted when all he was doing was helping her and then to do it to basically take his truck is … I can’t wrap my head around it.”
Palmer’s family added that he was known to offer rides to strangers that appeared to need help.
“I used to tell him all the time not to pick up people off the side of the road anymore. He did it a lot. If he saw someone walking, he was picking them up and taking them as far as he could,” Jones said.
Jones added that Palmer was “the glue to our family” and described him as “just a giver.”
The investigation into Palmer’s death remains ongoing. Police are asking that anyone with information regarding the incident contact the Homicide Division directly at 314-444-5371. Meanwhile, those with information who wish to remain anonymous can contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (8477).
Police said that a possible cash reward is available for those with useful information, according to First Alert 4.
