74-year-old Louisville mam fatally shot

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Summary: Wade Dexter Ramey, a 74-year-old Louisville real estate professional and family man married 56 years, was shot and killed May 1, 2026, while checking one of his properties. Louisville Metro Police later charged 47-year-old Match Gudger with murder and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun. Gudger’s bond was set at $500,000. Ramey is survived by his wife, three children, and multiple grandchildren.

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. — A 74-year-old Louisville man who spent decades building a life around family, real estate, and quiet service died after someone shot him on May 1, 2026, while he checked on property he owned.

Wade Dexter Ramey had just celebrated more than five decades of marriage and kept close ties with his grown children and grandchildren. Born in Arlington, Virginia, on Halloween 1951, he made Kentucky his home and turned his energy toward helping people find houses and managing investments. Friends described him as the kind of person who showed up, whether it meant guiding first-time buyers or quietly looking after what he owned.

Police responded to the shooting shortly before 6 p.m. that Friday. Officers found Ramey suffering multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Jefferson County Coroner officials later confirmed his identity.

For several days, Louisville Metro Police Homicide Unit investigators worked to identify who pulled the trigger. On May 23, authorities brought 47-year-old Match Gudger into court. He faces charges of murder and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. A judge set his bond at $500,000 cash.

Ramey’s obituary paints a fuller picture of the man behind the headlines. He and his wife Denise shared 56 years together. Their three children — Lorie, Karen, and Jason — along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren, filled his days with the ordinary joys many people chase: family dinners, watching kids grow, and the steady rhythm of a long marriage. He also loved his dogs, including his late service dog Abby and another furry companion who remained at home.

In real estate circles, Ramey earned respect for his straightforward approach. Colleagues remembered him as someone who treated deals like relationships — built on trust rather than pressure. His work often took him across different parts of the city, including areas where investors sometimes hesitate to go. That commitment to hands-on management placed him at the property on the day he died.

The case remains active as prosecutors prepare for further court proceedings. Anyone with information can still contact LMPD’s anonymous tip line.

Ramey’s family planned services through Advantage Funeral & Cremation Services. Those closest to him say they will remember a man who lived steadily, loved deeply, and left behind generations who learned from his example.

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Suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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Sources:

Court appearance and charges

Obituary and family details

Initial incident report

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