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In Philly Homicide episode 7, a haunting murder investigation unfolds from the killing of 42-year-old church secretary Rhonda Smith, who was found shot in the head inside a suburban Philadelphia church.
This is one harrowing tale that unravels a woman's jealousy, obsession, and betrayal within a community of religious institutions.
The episode contains an in-depth interview and recreation of the complicated dynamics that surrounded the tragic death of Rhonda Smith and the subsequent investigation that exposed her killer, Mary Jane Fonder.
Philly Homicide is a true-crime series that dives deep into some of the most heinous murders committed in the Philadelphia region, with exclusive insight from local detectives and law enforcement officials. Episode 7 premiered on December 14, 2024, at 9 pm ET/PT on Oxygen.
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5 key details about Rhonda Smith's murder
1) Discovery of Rhonda Smith’s Body and suicide accusations
Rhonda Smith, a bipolar parishioner at Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church, was shot twice in the head on January 23, 2008, while working in the church office. Rhonda was left brain-dead from the attack and later taken off life support by her grieving family.
Police initially thought that this was a suicide because Rhonda was bipolar and would fall into these dark places every so often. She also had recently gone through a breakup with her boyfriend, but there wasn't a weapon found on the scene.
After speaking with her parents, it was revealed she was motivated to improve her life and control her bipolar disorder. She found safety in the church and made friends there. She was also supposed to go on a date that night.
Investigators would also confirm that there was stippling on her right hand, showing that her hand was brought up in a defensive pose which ruled out the suicide accusation.
2) Mary Jane Fonder's obsession with the Pastor
Mary Jane Fonder, a peculiar and socially inept parishioner, became erotically fixated on Pastor Greg Shreves and left up to 15 incoherent voice messages every week. Her fascination intensified when Rhonda Smith started attending the church.
The pastor blocked her number, but Mary Jane used her cell phone. She began attending the 8 AM services, staying for Sunday school and returning for the later service. When not at a service, she often accompanied the pastor, offering help, which he appreciated.
She began filling the pastor's fridge and freezer with food. He learned this from one of Mary Jane's long voicemails. He asked her to stop, but she left bags of food on his porch. He let the food rot, and when Mary Jane saw it piling up, her voicemail changed.
Rhonda Smith was attractive and popular. She joined the choir, quickly made friends, and even obtained a position at the church. Rhonda visited the pastor often enough to lead some to assume that Mary Jane was jealous of the attention she was getting.
In reality. Mary Jane suspected that Rhonda and Pastor Shreeves were having an affair, not knowing that Rhonda was seeking advice.
3) Fonder's odd behaviour and evidence found in Investigation
After being informed of Smith’s death, Fonder showed a lack of shock or remorse, instead talking about her day and a hair appointment. A search of her home revealed a .38-caliber handgun, later confirmed as the murder weapon.
Fonder’s jealousy of Smith’s growing rapport with the pastor was determined to be the motive behind the killing.
Once investigators had this evidence, they had a warrant to search more of Mary Jane's belongings and found that Mary Jane had written "Rhondda murdered "in her small calendar right under her hair appointment on the day Ronda died.
Her car also revealed gunpowder residue on the turn signal as well as the driver's side door handle.
Her wig would also test positive for residue. On October 8, 2008, Mary Jane Fonder was found guilty of first-green murder and sentenced to life without parole.
Mary Jane says she doesn't remember doing anything.
4) The disappearance of Edward Fonder III
The mysterious disappearance of Fonder's father, Edward Fonder III, in 1993 played a huge role in this case. While never charged, Fonder remained a prime suspect, adding a layer of intrigue to her background. A neighbour mentioned that he was surprised if Edward would make it to the road because of his age and hip operations.
The neighbor said that Mary Jane was behaving as if nothing happened and even hired tree-cutting services to eliminate a few big trees on the property. Mary Jane initially cooperated by informing police that her father was becoming mobile, often trying to walk around the property.
It took her more than 90 minutes to find him the last time he wandered off during the search for her father.
Oddly, Mary Jane had told detectives that she took medications for depression, though she believed she could not have harmed her father.
Police tried over five months to get her to take a lie detector test, but she declined. The police found a notation on the calendar dated August 24th but Mary Jane could not recall what that was for.
Nine months later, when his wallet was discovered in the community mailbox without anyone finding any fingerprints but opened and with its contents disturbed, suspicion was immediately heightened.
Without a body to identify, no charges could be filed, and this case went cold. In due course, Mary Jane resumed her life without indicating she had anything to do with her father's disappearance.
5) The verdict and the aftermath
Mary Jane Fonder was convicted of first-degree murder of Rhonda Smith in 2008 and sentenced to life in prison without parole. Mary Jane died in prison on June 4, 2018, at the age of 75.
Mary Jane was suffering from her mental illness her entire life. She was an outcast and she was labelled as an odd person by everyone. The constant rejection and exclusion made her snap and, sadly, her snapping made her murder innocent Rhonda Smith.
Catch episodes of Philly Homicide each Saturday on Oxygen True Crime at 9 p.m. ET/PT.
