Crime

Police continue search for Gardner man accused of killing wife in 2023

More than two years ago, Aaron Pennington allegedly murdered his wife at home in Gardner and vanished. 

Gardner resident Aaron Pennington, 35, is wanted for murder in connection with his wife's death. Worcester County District Attorney's Office

Authorities reignited their manhunt for Aaron Pennington on Thursday, more than two years after the Air Force veteran allegedly murdered his wife at home in Gardner and promptly vanished. 

Massachusetts State Police and Gardner police continued their search for 35-year-old Pennington, who has been missing since he allegedly shot and killed his wife the morning of Oct. 22, 2023, the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office confirmed.

Previously:

Thursday’s search focused on an area near Camp Collier, a local Scout camp where investigators found Pennington’s car the day after the murder. Search efforts included the State Police Air Wing, Violent Fugitive Apprehension Section, and Community Emergency Response Team, the DA’s office said.

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Two years ago, authorities found Breanne “Breezy” Pennington, 30, dead in the family’s Cherry Street home after the couple’s four children went to a neighbor’s house asking for help. 

Breanne Pennington kept a firearm at home for her own protection, according to court documents, and investigators found three spent shell casings in the bedroom where she died, but no gun.

Data from Aaron Pennington’s cellphone proved damning, authorities say. According to court filings, one Oct. 21, 2023, note on the device read, “Don’t say anything. Be quite [sic] If she wakes up just say you’re getting nasal spray. Get on side of bed — very close proximity to head. Put hole in her head.”

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By then, authorities allege the Penningtons’ relationship had soured, and Breanne Pennington was planning to take their children to Texas “to be away” from her husband, who “suffered from mental health issues and had threatened suicide.” 

Aaron Pennington was charged with his wife’s murder days after she died. Earlier this year, he was featured on an episode of “America’s Most Wanted.”

Authorities have described Pennington as a 6-foot-2 white male with blond hair and blue eyes, weighing approximately 175 pounds. The Worcester DA’s office previously warned members of the public not to approach Pennington if they spot him, as he is “potentially armed and dangerous.”

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Abby Patkin

Staff Writer

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.

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