A simple act of kindness turned tragically violent in Missouri over the weekend. William Palmer, a man known for his willingness to help strangers, was fatally shot after offering a ride to a woman in need.
Palmer was discovered with gunshot wounds early Sunday morning and pronounced dead at the scene. Police identified Brittany Rivoire, 36, as the suspect in his murder, alleging she then stole his truck.
The encounter began when Palmer, while collecting scrap metal, noticed Rivoire and offered assistance. She reportedly asked him for a ride to a warming shelter, claiming she was cold.
Palmer wasn’t alone in the vehicle; a friend was also present. However, the friend became uneasy with Rivoire’s behavior and exited the truck shortly after she entered.
Riyen Jones, Palmer’s fiancé, described him as someone who consistently went out of his way to help others. “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,” she shared, heartbroken.
Jones recounted that Palmer would routinely offer rides to anyone he saw walking, taking them as far as he could. His generosity, she emphasized, was a defining characteristic.
The betrayal cuts deeply. Jones struggles to comprehend how someone he was trying to help could respond with such violence, and then steal his truck. “I can’t wrap my head around it,” she said.
Rivoire is currently being held without bond, facing a multitude of charges including first-degree murder, firearm offenses, and motor vehicle tampering. The investigation continues to unfold.
