The court process is now moving forward for a man from Star Valley Ranch who has been arrested and charged with Voluntary Manslaughter in connection with the death of his wife, Tennille Erickson, in November 2024. Jared Erickson was taken into custody on May 27, following a six-month investigation into the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death.
Investigation Details and Findings
According to court documents, on November 17, 2024, Jared Erickson called 911 at 6:37 p.m., reporting that his wife was unresponsive in their bedroom with blood and vomit present on the bed.
He explained to the 911 operator that he and Tennille had been in separate rooms for a few hours, and when he checked on her, he found her in that state. EMS personnel arrived on the scene and tried to perform lifesaving measures, but Tennille was pronounced dead.
As the investigation unfolded, authorities discovered that Tennille had a history of heavy alcohol use and was also taking several medications, some of which interacted poorly with alcohol. Documents show that both she and Jared had been drinking together the night before her death.
Autopsy and Cause of Death
Tennille locked herself in the bedroom the night of November 16, while Jared remained on the couch. According to Jared, he checked on her multiple times the next day, including through an outside door. The last time he checked, he found her unresponsive and surrounded by blood and vomit.
An autopsy later revealed that although Tennille had a range of health problems linked to alcohol abuse, her cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head. The pathologist noted that multiple injuries on her body were consistent with repeated physical events, with injuries at different stages of healing.
The expert emphasized that it would be unlikely to call the fatal injuries accidental, stating that Tennille likely remained alive for several hours before her death.
The Couple’s History and Investigation Details
Jared admitted to investigators that he and Tennille had argued on the night of November 16. Tennille even sent Jared a text message with pictures showing bruises and swelling on her face, asking if she should send those out to others. However, Jared denied remembering any physical altercation or causing the injuries.
As the investigation continued, Jared was cooperative, including allowing authorities to search the house and his phone. He claimed Tennille often blamed her condition on her swollen ankles when she drank, and he believed the bruising on her body was the result of her stumbling and banging into objects.
He also stated that they had argued physically before, especially when they were both intoxicated, and described their fights as him “reacting” to being assaulted by Tennille.
Legal Proceedings and Future Court Date
The investigation continued for several weeks, with multiple interviews with family, friends, emergency responders, and medical professionals. Ultimately, on May 27, Jared Erickson was charged with one count of manslaughter and booked into the Lincoln County Detention Center in Kemmerer.
In his initial court appearance, his bond was set at $80,000, which was posted, leading to his release from custody. Erickson has not yet entered a plea. His next court date is scheduled for June 26, where a preliminary hearing will take place in Circuit Court.
Voluntary Manslaughter is a serious felony offense in Wyoming, carrying a penalty of up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of $10,000. The defense attorney for Jared Erickson has been contacted by media outlets, but no statement had been received by press time.
The case of Jared Erickson is still unfolding, and with a manslaughter charge now in place, it will continue to be closely followed. With significant details emerging about the couple’s history, the investigation has raised many questions regarding Tennille’s tragic death. The upcoming court proceedings will likely shed more light on the circumstances surrounding this case.
