Kevin Garner: Domestic Abuse a Factor in Quadruple Murder-Suicide

by Tina Kells | April 7, 2009 at 11:36 am

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Sheriffs in Greenhill, Alabama are no longer looking for Kevin Garner, a one-time person of interest in a brutal quadruple homicide. Garner is believed to have shot and killed his estranged wife, Tammy, their 16-year old daughter Chelsie and two other family members before committing suicide at the family home.

Family court documents have revealed that Tammy Garner had accused Kevin Garner of domestic violence during divorce proceedings. Kevin Garner's body was discovered after police issued an alert for him as a 'person of interest' in the quadruple homicide. He had killed himself after murdering four family members and burning down the home he had shared with Tammy and Chelsie.

- UPDATED April 8, 2009

A man who police say shot and killed his estranged wife, their daughter and two other relatives before burning down his house and committing suicide on the eve of their divorce trial gave no hints of the mayhem to come, police and court officials say.

While Kevin Garner's wife accused him of being abusive in court filings, authorities said the 45-year-old chemical company worker gave no indication that their split could result in the violence that occurred Tuesday.

Garner's behavior didn't seem odd during a brief court appearance Monday, Circuit Judge Sherrie W. Paler said, and the divorce wasn't considered particularly contentious by courthouse workers or the lawyers who were involved.

"I was terribly shocked and saddened by this unexpected tragedy," said Jerry Knight, an attorney who represented Garner in the divorce, which was scheduled to go to trial Wednesday.

The original Kevin Garner story, including the police alert can be seen below:

Kevin Garner and his estranged wife were due in court April 8 for a divorce hearing. Among the four victims are Garner's wife and daughter. Kevin Garner was last seen in a rental vehicle, a white Hyundai Sonata license plate 52A382T. A description of Garner and the car he is driving are in the box below.

Anyone with information on a white, four-door 2009 Hyundai Sonata rental car with license number 52A38T2 is asked to contact the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Office at 1-256-760-5757.

Garner is about 5 feet, 10 inches tall with brown hair and blue eyes and weighs about 175 pounds.

If you have any information about the whereabouts of Kevin Garner please contact the Greenhill sheriff’s office at 1-256-760-5757 or call 911.

The victims have been informally identified by neighbours as Garner's estranged wife Tammy Morgan Garner; their 16-year-old daughter, Chelsie Garner; Tammy Garner’s sister and her 13-year-old son.

sheriff’s investigators have been joined by numerous other agencies in the search for a Morgan County man who they say is a “person of interest” in connection with the case.

Travis Clemons, chief investigator for the sheriff’s office, said authorities are looking for Kevin Garner. No charges have been filed.

Garner and his wife, Tammy, are scheduled for a divorce hearing in Morgan County on Wednesday morning, based on courthouse records.

His wife’s green Subaru Legacy has been found burned in the Morgan County community of Priceville, investigators said. They added the couple’s house was also burned overnight.

Garner had not been found as of 1 p.m., authorities said.

A second crime scene has been confirmed but details are still pending. The four bodies were discovered by Chelise Garner's worried boyfriend when he went to check on her after being unable to reach her or her mother for hours.

The source said the bodies were discovered Tuesday morning by Chelsie’s boyfriend, who was set to take Chelsie to Rogers High School’s prom Friday night. Chelsie, a junior, played softball for the school.

The boyfriend, who another acquaintance said lives across the street from Chelsie, tried to send her a text message early this morning. When she did not answer, he tried her mother’s number. She also did not respond but the boyfriend could see her car at the house so he walked across the street to check on them, only to find their bodies, the friend said.

With Garner at large Tuesday, three Lauderdale County schools were under lockdown, including Rogers, Lauderdale County High and Lexington High.

Willis also confirmed there was a second crime scene in connection with the case in Morgan County. One of Garner’s vehicles was located there and the home where he was living at 187 Old Somerville Road was burned. It is unknown if it was the home where he lived with his wife.