Ruth Ward, 56, was found dead at her Montgomery, Alabama, home on Queens Hollow Court on the morning of Sunday, September 2, 2018. Authorities initially treated the scene as a death investigation and later confirmed she died from a gunshot wound. The investigation quickly centered on her 33-year-old son, Seth Ponzer, who police said fled the state the same day his mother’s body was discovered.

Search efforts ended when Ponzer was found dead in Atlanta, Georgia. Ward had a long career in law enforcement, including service with State Pardons and Paroles, multiple municipal agencies, the University of Auburn-Montgomery Police, and, at the time of her death, the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She was remembered for a compassionate, giving nature and a ’spitfire’ approach to police work.

If anyone knew Ruth Ward, her family, or had information about the events around September 2, 2018, please share what is known.