Montana romance novelist charged with murder after fatal motel shooting

Montana romance novelist Kyle Ann Morrow faces a deliberate homicide charge after authorities say she fatally shot long-time motel owner Gene Gudmundson on July 12 in White Sulphur Springs.

PEOPLE reported that a probable cause affidavit filed by the Montana Division of Criminal Investigation detailed the allegations against the 73-year-old author. According to court documents, Morrow arrived at the Spa Hot Springs Motel shortly before 2:00 p.m. and asked a worker whether Gudmundson and his wife, Annie, were present. Upon learning that Gudmundson was alone at the property, Morrow left briefly before returning minutes later. The employee stated that Morrow walked past the front desk toward the back offices, after which a single gunshot rang out seconds later.

When the worker rushed toward the noise, she encountered Morrow walking away from the scene. The affidavit stated that Morrow told the employee, "He is a son of a bitch, I shot him," before exiting the premises. The worker entered the office, discovered Gudmundson suffering from a gunshot wound on the floor, and immediately alerted emergency services. Witnesses and surveillance footage allegedly identified Morrow, a former employee at the establishment, carrying what appeared to be a small revolver.

Law enforcement officers later located Morrow at her White Sulphur Springs residence and took her into custody after surrounding the property. Investigators recovered a Smith & Wesson .38 revolver, clothing matching the surveillance video, and several handwritten notes detailing final arrangements and suicide plans that contained admissions to killing Gudmundson. Authorities noted that Morrow also made multiple unsolicited statements admitting to the shooting following her arrest.

Before her arrest, Morrow self-published three romance novels featuring storylines that involved firearms, suspicious deaths, and homicide. Her books include Black Iron Brandy, Two Crow Omen, and Belt Buckle Bunny, the latter published under a pseudonym. A testimonial attributed to Annie Gudmundson on Morrow's website praised her writing, noting that Gene Gudmundson also intended to read the author's work.