A quiet Saturday morning in Hopkinton, Rhode Island, ended in tragedy when a Grammy-nominated musician was struck and killed while walking his dog—an ordinary routine that turned fatal in seconds. The devastating crash has shocked the local music community and ignited outrage after police revealed the accused driver has been arrested more than 100 times and had dozens of outstanding warrants throughout her life.
Rory MacLeod, 70, a respected bassist and beloved figure in New England’s blues and roots music scene, was struck just before 7:30 a.m. on Spring Street. Police say he had been walking his dog along the roadside when a vehicle veered out of its traffic lane, slammed into him, and then tore through two telephone poles before coming to a stop.
MacLeod was rushed to Rhode Island Hospital, where he later died from his injuries. His sudden death has left family, friends, students, and fellow musicians reeling—many struggling to reconcile how a man so widely described as gentle, generous, and gifted could be taken so violently.
Driver With a Long Criminal Past Arrested
The driver, identified as 41-year-old Shannon Godbout, was taken into police custody at the hospital. Authorities say she is now facing her most serious charges to date: driving to endanger resulting in death and drug possession with intent to distribute.
Police allege that Godbout veered from her lane onto the roadside where MacLeod was walking. During their investigation, officers reportedly found her in possession of “numerous illegal narcotics” along with packaging materials “commonly associated with drug distribution.”
What has stunned many in the community is Godbout’s extensive criminal history. According to court records obtained by NBC affiliate WJAR, Godbout has been arrested 102 times since turning 18. She has also accumulated 40 traffic citations and had 82 warrants issued over the years.
Her criminal record includes at least 36 separate court cases, with charges ranging from repeated drug possession to shoplifting, larceny, possession of stolen vehicles, and driving with a suspended license. At one point, she served just over two years in jail—her longest known incarceration—following multiple drug-related convictions.
Despite her long rap sheet, Godbout has frequently received suspended sentences. Courts have ordered her into substance abuse counseling on seven different occasions, most recently in April, just months before the fatal crash.
The incident that killed MacLeod will also trigger a probation violation hearing, adding another layer of legal consequences to the case.
A Musician Who Left a Lasting Legacy
MacLeod’s death sent shockwaves through the Rhode Island and regional music communities. A longtime bassist, he was best known for his time with the legendary blues band Roomful of Blues during the 1980s. While with the group, he earned a Grammy nomination—an achievement that cemented his place in the national blues scene.
Roomful of Blues paid tribute to MacLeod with an emotional post on Facebook.
“We would like to acknowledge his diverse musical contributions as well as being a wonderful and gentle soul,” the band wrote. “There are no words for such an immense loss. RIP dear friend.”
Over the decades, MacLeod played with numerous groups, including JB and the Sliding Capos, and became known not only for his technical skill but for his warmth and humility. Fellow musicians consistently described him as someone who elevated every band he joined.
Doug James, a former Roomful of Blues bandmate and MacLeod’s friend of more than 40 years, struggled to put the loss into words.
“He was just always upbeat and cheerful,” James said. “He was a good addition to anything he did. Few people play that well on everything, and he did. He really worked hard at all the stuff he did, but it never looked like that—it always just came very easily.”
A Teacher, Mentor, and Lifelong Musician
In more recent years, MacLeod dedicated much of his time to teaching. Alongside his wife, Sandol Astrausky, he instructed students in banjo, guitar, and bass through the Old Time String Band program at Brown University. The couple became deeply involved in nurturing younger generations of musicians, offering both formal instruction and informal mentorship.
MacLeod was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame in 2012, an honor that recognized not just his talent, but his enduring impact on the state’s cultural life.
He and Astrausky met through music, according to The Westerly Sun, and their relationship was rooted in a shared passion for performance and teaching. Married for 20 years, they continued playing together and regularly hosted jam sessions at their Hope Valley home—events that became community gatherings for musicians of all ages.
Friends say those sessions reflected MacLeod’s spirit: inclusive, joyful, and grounded in love for the music rather than ego.
Grief and Anger Ripple Through the Community
As tributes poured in across social media, many expressed not only grief but deep anger over the circumstances of MacLeod’s death.
His childhood best friend called the loss “senseless” and said it was “profound and gut-wrenching.”
Another close friend and former bandmate wrote:
“It is with great sadness that today I found out that a good friend, band mate, and wonderful spirit was tragically stolen from us Saturday morning by a reckless driver. I will miss you Rory MacLeod. All the fun we had on the gigs we’ve played together, sharing some conversation over a beer and some roasted Brussels sprouts at Sneekers. Some good times right there my brother. You will be forever missed my friend. Rest in Heavenly Peace, Rory.”
Bob Bell, a former manager for Roomful of Blues, said he was “horrified” when he learned of MacLeod’s passing.
“Having Rory in the band was fun, musically and socially,” Bell wrote. “He was always a rock-solid, swinging, and driving bass player, but he was also a gas to travel with. Good-humored, easy-going, always ready to help.”
Bell also shared a haunting detail that made MacLeod’s final moments especially heartbreaking.
“The Rory I remember was Rory the musician, a fine human and a dog lover. Back in the ’80s, everywhere he went, his dog Walter accompanied him. Thus dear sweet and gentle Rory was taken from this world while walking his dog, no doubt a tune whistling through his lips, taken in a brutal and suddenly jarring, earth-shattering moment.”
Dog Survives, Runs Home
In a small mercy amid the devastation, Bell confirmed that MacLeod’s dog survived the crash. After the impact, the frightened animal reportedly ran home on its own, eventually returning to Astrausky.
For many, the image of the loyal dog making its way back alone has become a powerful symbol of the loss—an echo of the quiet morning that turned into tragedy.
Questions About the Justice System
As details of Godbout’s criminal history became public, outrage intensified. Many are now questioning how someone with such an extensive record—more than 100 arrests, dozens of warrants, and repeated substance abuse violations—was still behind the wheel.
Public records show she had been ordered into treatment multiple times and had numerous encounters with law enforcement involving driving offenses, including operating vehicles with a suspended license.
For grieving family members and friends, the tragedy has reopened painful questions about accountability, addiction, and the limits of the justice system.
“This didn’t have to happen,” one community member wrote online. “There were dozens of warnings.”
A Life Remembered
Despite the anger surrounding the crash, those closest to MacLeod say the best way to honor him is through music and kindness—the two things that defined his life.
He was known for staying after gigs to talk with fans, encouraging young musicians, and quietly helping people without seeking recognition. He gave lessons to students who couldn’t always afford them and opened his home to jam sessions where beginners and professionals played side by side.
To his wife, he was a musical partner and soulmate. To his students, a patient teacher. To his bandmates, a steady foundation. To friends, a man who showed up without being asked.
Now, the streets of Hopkinton are quieter without the gentle hum of bass lines that once anchored so many performances.
What Comes Next
Godbout remains in police custody at the hospital and is expected to appear in court Tuesday. Prosecutors are expected to pursue the most severe penalties allowed under the law given the fatal outcome and the drug-related allegations.
As the case moves forward, MacLeod’s family and the broader music community face the painful task of mourning a man whose life was defined not by headlines, but by harmony.
His death, many say, is not just the loss of a musician—but the loss of a teacher, a friend, a husband, and a quiet force of good.
And as one friend wrote simply online:
“The music will go on. But it will never sound the same without Rory.”
Emily Johnson is a critically acclaimed essayist and novelist known for her thought-provoking works centered on feminism, women’s rights, and modern relationships. Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, Emily grew up with a deep love of books, often spending her afternoons at her local library. She went on to study literature and gender studies at UCLA, where she became deeply involved in activism and began publishing essays in campus journals. Her debut essay collection, Voices Unbound, struck a chord with readers nationwide for its fearless exploration of gender dynamics, identity, and the challenges faced by women in contemporary society. Emily later transitioned into fiction, writing novels that balance compelling storytelling with social commentary. Her protagonists are often strong, multidimensional women navigating love, ambition, and the struggles of everyday life, making her a favorite among readers who crave authentic, relatable narratives. Critics praise her ability to merge personal intimacy with universal themes. Off the page, Emily is an advocate for women in publishing, leading workshops that encourage young female writers to embrace their voices. She lives in Seattle with her partner and two rescue cats, where she continues to write, teach, and inspire a new generation of storytellers.
