Grammy Legend KILLED By 100-Arrest Criminal

A Grammy-nominated musician’s morning dog walk ended in tragedy when he was struck and killed by a driver whose criminal record spans over 100 arrests, yet somehow she remained free to drive Rhode Island’s roads.

Story Highlights

Roderick Macleod, 70-year-old Grammy-nominated bassist, killed while walking dogs on December 6, 2025
Driver Shannon Godbout had over 100 arrests, 82 warrants, and was on probation at time of crash
Drugs and distribution materials found in Godbout’s vehicle after she veered off road
Victim was Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame inductee and member of acclaimed Roomful of Blues

A Life Cut Short by Systemic Failure

Roderick Macleod was doing what countless Americans do every morning, walking his dogs along the shoulder of Spring Street in Hopkinton, Rhode Island. The 70-year-old bassist had earned his place in music history as a member of Roomful of Blues, the jump-blues band that earned a Grammy nomination in the 1980s. At 7:21 a.m. on December 6, Shannon Godbout’s SUV veered from its lane, struck two telephone poles, and ended Macleod’s life in an instant.

The crash revealed a staggering failure of Rhode Island’s justice system. Police found illegal narcotics and distribution materials in Godbout’s vehicle, but her drug possession charges marked just the latest chapter in a criminal career that should have landed her behind bars years ago. Macleod died at Rhode Island Hospital from his injuries, while Godbout was arrested at the scene.

A Criminal Record That Defies Belief

Shannon Godbout’s rap sheet reads like a case study in judicial negligence. The 41-year-old had accumulated over 100 arrests across 12 Rhode Island towns, along with 82 outstanding warrants and 40 traffic citations. Despite this extensive criminal history, she was walking free on probation when she killed Macleod. Court records show her longest sentence was approximately two years, with most cases ending in no-contest pleas and suspended sentences.

The Hopkinton Police Department alone had arrested Godbout eight times and issued her seven traffic citations. She had been ordered to attend substance abuse counseling seven separate times, most recently in April 2025. Yet she remained free to drive, despite clear evidence of ongoing drug involvement and repeated violations. This pattern of leniency created a ticking time bomb that finally exploded on that December morning.

The Music World Mourns a Master

Macleod’s death represents an incalculable loss to Rhode Island’s music community. Beyond his Grammy nomination with Roomful of Blues, he performed with groups like J.B. and the Sliding Capos and was inducted into the Rhode Island Music Hall of Fame in 2012. Fellow musician Doug James remembered him as someone who was “always upbeat” and “100 percent” committed to his craft. Macleod was known for his versatility and positive spirit—qualities that made him beloved among local musicians.

The Hopkinton Police Department expressed their condolences on Facebook, writing, “Our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. MacLeod’s family… tragic incident.” But prayers and thoughts ring hollow when preventable tragedies expose such obvious systemic failures. A respected artist who enriched his community for decades is dead because the justice system failed to protect the public from a habitual offender.

Justice Delayed, Justice Denied

Godbout now faces charges including driving to endanger resulting in death and possession of Schedule I/II narcotics with intent to distribute—marking her third or subsequent offense on drug charges. The Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the case for additional charges, while state police assist with accident reconstruction. She’s expected to face court proceedings as a probation violator, which should finally result in meaningful consequences.

This tragedy underscores fundamental problems with how repeat offenders navigate the system. When someone accumulates 100 arrests without facing serious prison time, the system isn’t just broken—it’s actively endangering innocent lives. Macleod’s death was entirely preventable if Rhode Island’s courts had taken Godbout’s pattern of criminal behavior seriously. Instead, a talented musician is dead, his family is grieving, and questions about judicial accountability demand answers that may never come.