CIF Investigations, Inc. PO Box 136655 330 Kirby …texaspubliccorruption.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Report... · • A . titled “img013.pdf” that shows a typed letter (Letter.wps)

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CIF Investigations, Inc. PO Box 136655 Fort Worth, TX 76136 (214) 4949-CIF(243) www.cifinvestigations.com April 2, 2015 Jennifer Davis and Howard Wayne Farmer 330 Kirby Creek Drive Grand Prairie, TX 75052 Dear Ms. Davis and Mr. Farmer: Enclosed are the information and results obtained during the course of the investigation, regarding the subject. A copy of the photographs, applicable evidence and paperwork will be on file at your request. This concludes my investigation and any further assistance will be available at your request. Thank you for trusting me with this matter. Sincerely,

Erik Harris Manager

TX License A16714 | OK License 11PIA 4006 | Coverage available in CO, ID, WY & MS with no license requirements | www.cifinvestigations.com

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INVESTIGATION REQUEST

On April 5, 2014, CIF Investigations, Inc. entered into an agreement with Jennifer Davis and Howard Wayne Farmer to conduct an investigation regarding the incidents and actions related to the death of Janice Lee Willhelm, the mother of the clients.

SUBJECT INFORMATION

Subject: Janice Lee Willhelm Injury: Death resulting from gunshot wound to neck DOB: 07/20/1947 SSN: 450-74-1904 DL#: 02434139 (Texas) Address: 7225 FM 1119 Centerville, TX 75833 Phone: 903-536-1163 & 903-536-1026

INVESTIGATION SUMMARY During the investigation, the handwriting on the Last Will and Testament of Janice Lee Willhelm, signed and dated on June 10, 2009, was analyzed by Wendy Carlson, an expert document examiner, and the conclusion was that the signature of Janice Lee Willhelm on the document was not a match to the handwriting of Janice Lee Willhelm obtained from additional handwritten documents. It was further determined that Gerald Eugene Willhelm handwrote the portion of the Will that had been identified as being from Janice Lee Willhelm. Although the two witnesses listed on the will had signed a sworn statement in court to have been personally acquainted with Janice Lee Willhelm and her signature, both witnesses were unable to confirm that they actually saw Mrs. Willhelm sign the will and neither of them knew her personally, but rather signed the document as a favor to Gerald Willhelm. This behavior from Gerald Willhelm was also documented in a court case involving his ex-wife, whom he had forged her signature in order to obtain a large sum of money from her account. Mr. Willhelm was found guilty of this offense and order to repay the money. The police report had only referenced evidence of a suicide; however, there was no suicide note or written expression of suicidal feelings found. Instead, a handwritten journal was found open with an entry dated January 21 of an unknown year that referenced a flashback to her father’s death and crying. It did not appear that any effort to collect evidence to rule out homicide was attempted. The police report indicated it appeared to be a suicide, but the sheriff’s office would keep the case open until they received the results from the autopsy; however, the Medical Examiner indicated that she relied on the results of the investigation since it was a Justice of the Peace Ordered Autopsy and that was the normal procedure for those.

Subject: Janice Lee Willhelm

File No.: 004-140408 - 3 -

Additional research was attempted into the surgical procedure regarding the left

(dominant) arm of Mrs. Willhelm, along with the physical limitations of the surgery and

her condition. Medical records were subpoenaed by the legal counsel for the client and

those results are still pending. Inquiries were also made with other independent medical

examiners to determine if the nature of death is common of a suicide and if any record of

suicide in this manner had ever been documented. To date, there have been no recorded

incidents of suicide by a downward gunshot into the neck.

REVIEW OF CLIENT PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION

The following items were provided from the client and were analyzed prior to and during

the investigation:

• A .pdf file titled “img013.pdf” that shows a typed letter (Letter.wps) to the postal

delivery person in Centerville, Texas from Janice Lee Robeson Willhelm. The

properties of the document indicated that it was last modified on September 15, 2001.

In the letter, it requested that the mail carrier refrain from placing mail in the back of

the mailbox because Mrs. Willhelm had recently had an 8” tumor removed from her

dominant arm and had also suffered a stroke so she was having difficulty retrieving

the mail out of the box.

• A .pdf file titled “1 of 2 probated will.pdf” that begins with a Civil Case Information

Sheet (Cause Number 5944) filed in Leon County, Texas on March 2, 2011. This

document includes the Application to Probate Will and for Issuance of Letters

Testamentary and the Last Will and Testament of Janice Lee Willhelm. A review of

the will found the signature of Janice Lee Willhelm to have been forged by Gerald

Willhelm and both witnesses for the will could not definitively say they witnessed the

will being signed by Janice Lee Willhelm, nor did they read the contents of the

document before signing it. [See Report – Willhelm, Janice Lee (Will) 004-150117]

• A .pdf file titled “police report 1 willhelm.pdf” that appears to be the Incident Report

for Incident 40117 – Suicide. According to the report, Officer Jerry G. Grimes of the

Leon County Sheriff’s Office was the first responding officer on the scene; however,

Allen Brown of the Centerville Volunteer Fire Department and Ron Mason of the

Texas Medical Response EMS (with his assistant) were already present, along with

Judge J. Keeling – JP#2. The autopsy was later requested by Officer Grimes to Judge

Keeling. Upon entry into the residence, Janice Lee Willhelm was observed seated in a

reclining chair with a cloth over the gunshot wound to the left side of her neck,

admittedly placed there by Gerald Willhelm in an effort to stop the bleeding, her head

slumped to the right and both hands resting in her lap. The scene was then

photographed by Investigator D. Craft. (Deanne Craft was identified as a cousin by

Wayne Farmer.) Investigator Craft reported that Deputy Grimes and JP Keeling were

inside the residence upon her arrival. A Supplemental Report provided by Chief

Deputy Brent K. Walter stated, “Chief Walter was directed to a what appeared to be a

day book or diary which was opened to a page where the complaintant at one time


File No.: 004-140408 - 4 -

had written she was reliving the death of her father.” (See provided Crime Scene

Photo below from a notebook entry dated “1/20”) Chief Deputy Walter then wrote,

“The scene, medical problems and past are consistent with a person highly depressed

to the point of suicide. This case will remain open pending the results of the autopsy.”

According to the Medical Examiner’s findings, it was indicated that the Medical

Examiner, Jill E. Urban, M.D., was informed ahead of time of Janet Willhelm

expressing “suicidal ideation” and suffering from chronic pain. During the interview

with Jill Urban, M.D., she indicated that this information influenced her conclusion

and declaration of suicide and that she relied heavily of the results of the

investigation. (See provided “Willhelm med exam report.pdf”)

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS

Person: Gerald Eugene Willhelm

Relationship: Husband of Janice Lee Willhelm

DOB: 07/04/1945

SSN: 451-66-4638

DL#: 02232602 (Texas)

Address: 7225 FM 1119

Centerville, TX 75833

Phone: 903-536-1026, 903-536-1163 & 903-348-9075 (Mobile)

Vehicles: 1.) 2000, silver, Chevrolet C3500HD, Texas license 1BR685, registered to

Gerald E Willhelm at 7225 FM 1119, Centerville, TX 75833

2.) 2011, black, Toyota Tacoma double-cab, Texas license AU95626,

registered to Gerald E Willhelm at 7225 FM 1119, Centerville, TX 75833

Criminal: No records found

Bankruptcy: Chapter 7 filed with Janice Willhelm on 12/23/2002 and discharged on

03/28/2003


File No.: 004-140408 - 5 -

Property: 7225 FM 1119, Centerville, TX 75833

Business: Gerald Willhelm appears to be conducting business under his name at his

residence.

Websites: No websites directly associated with Mr. Willhelm were found.

Person: Whitney Thompson Smith

Relationship: District Attorney in Leon County in 2010 and admitted close acquaintance

of Gerald Willhelm. *It was noted that Whitney Smith was the District

Attorney for Leon County, Texas; however, he had resigned from the

position on December 14, 2014. Whitney Smith remained in that position

until Hope Knight was appointed by the Governor of Texas on January 9,

2015.

DOB: 02/12/1965

SSN: 428-35-XXXX

DL#: 08769540 Texas

Address: 28 Golf Club Drive

Hilltop Lakes, TX 77871

Phone: 979-209-4949

Vehicles: 1.) 1993, grey, Dodge truck, Texas license 032B059, registered to

Whitney Smith at PO Box 1356, Normangee, TX 77871

2.) 2012, red, Dodge Ram 3500, Texas license CHC1401, registered to

Whitney Smith at 28 Golf Club Drive, Normangee, TX 77871

3.) 2008, blue, Ford F250 Super Duty, Texas license AZ90732, registered

to Whitney Smith at 28 Golf Club Drive, Hilltop Lakes, TX 77871

4.) 2005, white, Freightliner Columbia, Texas license 1C72886, registered

to Whitney T Smith at 28 Golf Club Drive, Hilltop Lakes, TX 77871

5.) 2005, white, Freightliner ST120, Texas license 1C72899, registered to

Whitney T Smith at 28 Golf Club Drive, Hilltop Lakes, TX 77871

6.) 1988, white, International, Texas license 1LG120, registered to

Whitney Smith at 28 Golf Club Drive, Normangee, TX 77871


Bankruptcy: No records found

Property: 1.) 186 Crete Street, Normangee, TX 77871

2.) 101 W Trinity Street, Madisonville, TX 77864

3.) 850 acres of agricultural property (APN: 000025-000360) in Marquez,

Texas


Texas


Texas

Business: 1.) M & C Painting, Inc., 1035 S Madison Street, Madisonville, TX 77864

(Whitney Smith, President) - Voluntarily Dissolved as of 04/09/2010

2.) SAXET SWD, Inc., PO Box 1543, Madisonville, TX 77864 (Whitney

T Smith, Registered Agent) – Forfeited Existence as of 11/09/2013


File No.: 004-140408 - 6 -

3.) Whitney T Smith, Attorney at Law, P.C. (Whitney T Smith, President)

– Forfeited Existence as of 06/17/2010


Person: Jerry G Wakefield

Relationship: Sheriff at the time of the incident and friend of Gerald Willhelm

DOB: 08/23/1948

SSN: 452-80-XXXX

DL#: 05488196 (Texas)

Address: 2281 County Road 161

Centerville, TX 75833

Phone: 903-536-2610 & 903-536-7114

Vehicles: 1.) 1999, white, GMC Sierra, Texas license 1LG073, registered to Jerry G

Wakefield at PO Box 191, Centerville, TX 75833. This vehicle was titled

to Jerry G Wakefield in February 2005.

2.) 2012, black, Chevrolet Tahoe, Texas license CZ8H654, registered to

Jerry Wakefield at 116 CVille Circle, Centerville, TX 75833. This vehicle

was titled to Jerry Wakefield in October 2011.

3.) 2014, brown, Chevrolet Silverado, Texas license BWT9674, registered

to Jerry G Wakefield at 116 CVille Circle, Centerville, TX 75833. This

vehicle was titled to Jerry G Wakefield in August 2013.

4.) 2011 Polaris Ranger, VIN: 4XATY76A7B4262972, registered to Jerry

Wakefield at PO Box 191, Centerville, TX 75833. This vehicle was titled

to Jerry G Wakefield in June 2011.

* It was noted that Jerry G Wakefield had previously owned a 2008, black,

Dodge Charger R/T, VIN: 2B3KA53H28H265144, and titled the vehicle

in January of 2009, but then transferred the title to Christie Wakefield in

November 2013.


Bankruptcy: No records found

Property: 1.) 2281 County Road 161, Centerville, TX 75833

2.) 116 CVille Circle, Centerville, TX 75833

3.) 21 Burns Road Highway (Madison County)

Business: No businesses were found to be directly associated with Jerry G

Wakefield.


STATEMENTS OBTAINED

Statement of Jill Urban, M.D.

On April 16, 2014, the investigators arrived at the office of Jill Urban, M.D. for a

prearranged interview regarding her findings during the initial autopsy examination.


File No.: 004-140408 - 7 -

According to Dr. Urban, their office handles autopsies for around 65 counties in Texas.

Dr. Urban stated that they received the body of Janice Lee Willhelm from Leon County

and she performed the autopsy on the body. Dr. Urban indicated that for a body to have a

contact wound, similar to the wound on Mrs. Willhelm, the person would have to be

incapacitated. She also conceded that the cause of death could also be the result of

something other than suicide. Dr. Urban explained that when she has a Justice of the

Peace Ordered Autopsy, she relies a lot on their investigation when performing the

autopsy. She then indicated that the type and method of suicide in this case is atypical,

and she could not recall ever seeing a suicide with a gunshot wound to the neck

orientated downward.

In the examination, Dr. Urban reasoned that the wound did not hit any vital areas, but did

immediately several the spinal cord, which would have rendered Mrs. Willhelm

paralyzed below the C-7 vertebrae. Although she may not have died instantly, she most

likely went into “spinal shock” and died quickly within minutes.

Dr. Urban indicated that an officer attended the autopsy, but she did not make any

notations in her notes that the Sheriff’s Office was concerned with anything other than a

suicide.

In regard to the medications found in Mrs. Willhelm’s system, butalbital and

diphenhydramine would definitely cause drowsiness and the levels of the medication

would have been abnormally high; however, if Mrs. Willhelm regularly took medication

for chronic pain, as indicated, these levels would be normal.

Dr. Urban stated that, after looking at some of the crime scene photographs, she would

not rule out homicide or suicide and she did indicate that it was an abnormal suicide. She

also reiterated that the Leon County Sheriff’s Office gave her no indication that the death

was anything other than a suicide.

PHOTOGRAPHS OBTAINED

Not applicable

EVIDENCE OBTAINED

1. Comprehensive Background Report – Gerald Eugene Willhelm

2. Comprehensive Background Report – Whitney Thompson Smith

3. Comprehensive Background Report – Jerry G Wakefield


File No.: 004-140408 - 8 -

INVESTIGATIVE CONTACT

Beginning on or around April 11, 2014, contact was attempted/made with John Storey

(Farm Bureau Insurance), Victor Smith, Jerry Grimes and Brent Walters (Leon County

Sheriff’s Office), John Anderson (Federal Bureau of Investigations), Andres de la Garza

(Texas Rangers), Captain Lucas (Attorney General’s Office), Whitney Smith (Leon

County District Attorney), and Judge Jack Keeling (Leon County Justice of the Peace)

regarding information pertaining to the death and surrounding circumstances of Janice

Lee Willhelm.

On March 19, 2015, the investigators met with Hope Knight, Leon County District

Attorney, along with Texas Ranger Andres de la Garza, and Leon County Sheriff Jerry

Wakefield. The evidence discovered was presented to the District Attorney and she

indicated her intent to present this evidence to a Grand Jury in Leon County. The date of

the Grand Jury hearing has not been revealed or determined at the time of this report.

Disclaimer

The public record information contained in this report has been obtained through online public record sources or by

personal visits to sources of such documents, such as the court of jurisdiction, deemed by us to generally be reliable.

However, the client is advised that these records are not always complete. The public agencies and other providers of

public records can and have missed recording some records and misfiled others. The above information should not be

relied upon without independent verification. It should also be understood that there may be more than one person with

the same name as the person whom the search was conducted on and only fingerprints of the individual can provide

positive identification. Consequently, CIF Investigations, Inc. cannot and does not guarantee the accuracy of the

records reported in this report and accepts no liabilities, which may arise from the use of the same. The client agrees

and certifies that it’s ordering of and use of this report is in strict compliance with any applicable provision of the Fair

Credit Reporting Act, Public Law 91-508, and state and federal equal opportunity laws and regulations.

Documents

CIF Investigations, Inc. PO Box 136655 330 Kirby …texaspubliccorruption.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Report... · • A . titled “img013.pdf” that shows a typed letter (Letter.wps)