Tennessee – Tennessee authorities announced the arrest of 35-year-old husband, Mathew, in connection with the deaths of his spouse, 30-year-old RacheI and his father-in-Iaw, 62-year-old Davld. The defendant was indicted by a Grand Jury on two counts of first-degree murder and is currently held at the county jail on a $1 million bond.
The incident occurred in Jan. 2021, when the defendant called 911 to report that his spouse’s parent had shot his daughter. He claimed to have beaten the second victim in self-defense, fearing for his own life. The defendant, then employed as a paramedic, stated that his spouse was agonally breathing and that he was retrieving his paramedic bag to provide aid.
The defendant can reportedly be heard on a 911 call yelling that ‘his family member just shot his spouse’ while telling dispatchers that he acted in self-defense by incapacitating him and taking the weapon away. He also stated that the victim was unconscious at the time.
Both victims later died from their injuries. The defendant was subsequently arrested and charged with their murders. He entered a not guilty plea to the charges in June 2021.
Initially, the defendant was charged with two counts of first-degree murder in May 2021 and pleaded not guilty. However, in October 2023, the District Attorney’s Office dropped the charges, citing insufficient evidence at the time.
District Attorney General noted that if further investigation developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt, charges could be reinstated through the Grand Jury process.
Following continued investigation, the case was presented to the Grand Jury in May 2025, resulting in the defendant’s indictment. The local police department has not released additional details regarding new evidence leading to the indictment. The defendant is awaiting trial, and further proceedings will determine the outcome of the case .
Husband claims he disabIed his spouse's parent and beat the elderly man to death because the victim kiIIed the woman and he feared for his own life, after kiIIing both: DA
