The Driveway Feud That Ended in Double Murder

December 1, 2025true-crime murder investigation justice

TL;DR

Patrick Shunn and Monique Patenaude disappeared from their home in Oso, Washington on April 11, 2016, sparking a major investigation after they missed an Iron Maiden concert and their dog was found running loose.
Detectives discovered both vehicles pushed off a cliff near the site of the 2014 Oso landslide, with evidence inside revealing signs of violence and an attempted cover-up.
The investigation focused on neighbor John Reed, who had refused to leave his property after a FEMA buyout, and his brother Tony Reed as prime suspects in the homicides.
An international manhunt ensued stretching from Washington State to Mexico as authorities pursued leads on the Reed brothers and gathered digital and forensic evidence.
Tony Reed eventually surrendered while John Reed was captured, with autopsy findings and digital evidence establishing a timeline connecting them to the murders.
The case concluded with trial verdicts that brought justice to Patrick and Monique, exposing how a bitter driveway dispute escalated into one of Washington's most serious crimes.

Episode Recap

On April 11, 2016, Patrick Shunn and Monique Patenaude vanished from their home in Oso, Washington, leaving behind their beloved dog Cairo running loose and raising immediate alarm among their close friends and community. The couple's disappearance became deeply concerning when they failed to appear at an Iron Maiden concert they had been eagerly anticipating, prompting loved ones to contact authorities and launch an investigation into their whereabouts.

Detectives quickly uncovered troubling evidence that would transform the missing persons case into a double homicide investigation. Both of the couple's vehicles were discovered pushed off a cliff near the site of the devastating 2014 Oso landslide, with forensic examination of the vehicles revealing physical evidence of violence and apparent attempts to conceal the crime. This discovery marked a critical turning point in the investigation, signaling that Patrick and Monique had likely met a violent end.

The investigation led detectives to focus on John Reed, a former neighbor who had become entangled in a bitter property dispute with Patrick and Monique. Reed had refused to vacate his property following a FEMA buyout program implemented in the aftermath of the 2014 landslide. This ongoing conflict over the driveway and neighboring properties had created significant tension between the households, providing detectives with a potential motive for the crimes. Suspicion also extended to John's brother, Tony Reed, as authorities believed both siblings may have been involved in the murders.

The investigation employed sophisticated detective work including phone data analysis, CCTV footage examination, and digital evidence collection to establish timelines and movements. Detectives also executed search warrants on properties associated with the Reed brothers, discovering bunkers and other structures that suggested possible places of concealment. Evidence gathered from the parents' house further supported the theory of the brothers' involvement in the crimes.

The case escalated into an international manhunt as the Reed brothers fled Washington State and headed toward Mexico, evading law enforcement across state lines and international borders. However, the manhunt eventually yielded results when Tony Reed surrendered to authorities, providing crucial information about the murders and potentially cooperating with investigators. His account helped authorities locate additional evidence and physical remains.

The recovery and autopsy of Patrick and Monique's bodies provided critical forensic evidence establishing the manner and circumstances of their deaths. Law enforcement successfully captured John Reed after an intensive pursuit, and digital evidence analysis established a precise timeline of events surrounding the murders. The case culminated in trial proceedings that resulted in verdicts holding both brothers accountable for their crimes. This investigation demonstrated how meticulous detective work, persistence, and technological analysis could uncover the truth behind a sensational crime rooted in neighborhood conflict.