"Love the Art" Beaver Utah

A Beaver County woman's boyfriend has been charged with first-degree felony murder after investigators found her shot to death.

The Beaver County Sheriff's Office identified the victim as Desiree Shotwell, 42.

Her boyfriend, Ronald Corey Fordham, 42, was charged Monday in 5th District Court with murder, as well as weapons offense. The murder charge carries a potential life sentence in prison, while the weapons offense carries a sentence of zero to five years.

On Saturday night, someone called the police and "stated that they felt an officer should be sent" to a home southeast of Beaver, according to a statement from the sheriff's office. "The caller stated that a woman who resides at the residence could be in danger of her [boyfriend]."

There had been a domestic dispute and Shotwell had walked outside, Beaver County Sheriff Cameron Noel said Monday. When she came back, Fordham allegedly shot her with a .357-caliber Magnum handgun, Noel added.

When officers arrived, Fordham, who was uninjured, was lying next to her body with the gun nearby, Noel said.

Fordham was booked into Beaver County jail. No court dates were immediately set.

Utah court records show Fordham's criminal history includes a 2013 conviction for assault on a police officer, driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and carrying a dangerous weapon while intoxicated.

Shotwell was a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker and worked at a local art gallery, Love the Art. She had been interested in the beauty of rocks and gemstones since she was a girl, because of her father, David Penney, according to the store's website.

"She mined with him, went to gem shows, and selling trips," her profile on the website reads. "As she grew in age, size and [stature], she also grew in knowledge of great and beautiful works of art."

— Reporter Bob Mims contributed to this story

Desiree Dawn Shotwell May 23, 1978 - April 9, 2016

Desiree Dawn Shotwell, age 37, passed away on April 9, 2016. She was born on May 23, 1978 in Mesa, Arizona to David LaMar Penney and Lana Kathleen Reed. Desiree graduated from beaver High School in 1996.
Desiree loved making jewelry and creating art that everyone enjoyed. She loved being her own boss and bringing the family together. Her favorite place to go was anywhere in the hills. She had a passion for finding beauty wherever she went.
Desiree is survived by her sons Skyler Lamar (Aspen) Shotwell and Staton Rick (Preslee) Shotwell both of Beaver, Utah. Her parents, David LaMar Penney and Lana Kathleen Reed both of Beaver, Utah. Her brother Paul Penney and sisters Debbie (Mark) Claridge, Angelina Larson, Becky (Rick) Sanchez and Tina (Davey) Robinson. And grandfather Maurice Laughery.
She is preceded in death by her grandparents Colleen Laughery, Joe Denton and Ruth Denton.
Funeral services will be held on Friday, April 15, 2016 at 11:00 am at the Beaver Stake Center. A viewing will be held prior to services on Friday, April 15, 2016 from 9:00-10:30 am. Interment will be in the Mountain View Cemetery under the direction of Southern Utah Mortuary. Online condolences can be made at www.sumortuary.com.
A memorial fund has been set up at Wells Fargo in Desiree Shotwell’s name to help with funeral expenses for those who would like to donate. (acct#2595340957)

Utah man sentenced to prison for killing girlfriend

The Salt Lake Tribune
First Published Apr 26 2016 11:21AM • Last Updated Apr 27 2016 08:30 pm
Courts » Rapid guilty plea was meant to spare victim’s family, defense attorney says.


A Beaver County man who earlier this month shot and killed his girlfriend, pleaded guilty on Monday and was sentenced to prison for up to life — an extremely expedited resolution that was initiated by the defendant.

Ronald Corey Fordham, 42, of Beaver, was charged two weeks ago in 5th District Court with first-degree felony murder, as well as third-degree felony possession of a firearm by a restricted person, for the April 9 slaying of 37-year-old Desiree Shotwell.

On Monday, Fordham pleaded guilty to the murder count. In exchange, the weapons charge was dismissed.

Judge G. Michael Westfall immediately sentenced Fordham to 15 years to life at the Utah State Prison.

Defense attorney Edrick Overson told The Tribune that the rapid resolution of the case — which he opined might be one of the quickest homicide resolutions in Utah history — was Fordham's idea.

The plea and sentencing came on the day of Fordham's initial court appearance, shocking the judge, said Overson, who noted that many homicide prosecutions go on for years.

"[Fordham] didn't want to prolong it and he wanted to keep the family from suffering more than they already suffered," Overson said. "[The crime] was horrible and a tragedy, but could have been worse if it had dragged on."

Beaver County Attorney Von Christiansen told The Tribune that the judge said he would recommend to the Utah Board of Pardons and Parole that Fordham serve out his full life sentence.

Christiansen said the judge cited Fordham's past criminal history and the "betrayal" inherent in killing a loved one.

"They were in an argument and he shot her in the face," Christiansen said of the April 9 homicide.

Christiansen said Fordham — who had an off-and-on relationship with Shotwell for about 13 years — had threatened to kill her on other occasions.

When officers arrived at Shotwell's home, southeast of Beaver, Fordham was laying next to her body with a .357-caliber Magnum handgun at his feet, Christiansen said.

Shotwell was a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker and worked at a local art gallery, Love the Art.

Christiansen said Shotwell's death was a "tragedy for our community ... we are feeling her loss substantially."

The Beaver County Attorney's Office said in a written statement, "We hope this outcome can help [Shotwell's] family to begin to heal."

Christiansen said Fordham's criminal history includes a 2013 conviction for class A misdemeanor assault on a police officer, a 2000 conviction for class B misdemeanor attempted violation of a protective order, a 1994 third-degree felony conviction for unlawful sexual activity with a minor, as well as a couple of domestic violence convictions.