A former Alabama sports reporter and her husband have been found dead in their home in what police are investigating as a murder-suicide. The couple's three-year-old son was discovered unharmed at the scene.
A Tragic Discovery
Christina Chambers, 38, and Johnny Rimes, 41, were found unresponsive with gunshot wounds at their $275,000 home in Hoover on Tuesday morning. According to a neighbour, Rimes's father went to check on the couple after they failed to attend a church event. He was reportedly greeted at the door by his three-year-old grandson.
"The child answered the door," neighbour Charles Maple told People magazine, citing information from police. "And then they went back [inside] and they found the bodies." The boy was inside the 2,158 square-foot property at the time of the shootings but was not physically injured. Authorities have not yet confirmed who they believe fired the fatal shots.
A Life in Sports and Education
Christina Chambers dedicated much of her career to covering collegiate and high school sports across Alabama and Georgia. A graduate of the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB), where she also competed in track and field, she joined Fox affiliate WBRC in 2015.
After marrying Rimes in 2021, she transitioned to a role as a high school educator, advising students on television and film production. Her work was recognised earlier this year when the Alabama Scholastic Press Association named her the 2024 Advisor of the Year. She continued freelance reporting for WBRC, most recently contributing to coverage of the 2025 football season.
Johnny Rimes was a financial analyst at the American Cast Iron Pipe Company for nearly 14 years. He also studied at UAB, earning a degree in finance.
Community Shock and Tributes
Neighbour Charles Maple described the couple as loving parents but noted he felt "something wasn't right" between them after the birth of their son. He emphasised, however, that Chambers never expressed concerns for her safety or that of her child.
Her former colleagues at WBRC paid a tearful on-air tribute, remembering her warmth and professionalism. "Knowing Christina was knowing joy," said one former coworker. The station released a statement expressing heartbreak, praising her as "a beloved colleague whose warmth, humor, and passion for sports left a lasting impact."
The investigation into the deaths remains ongoing. If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 for 24-hour, confidential support.
