On This Day, Army Specialist Yingming Sun Died in a Flash Flood Training Accident at Fort Hood in Texas (June 2, 2016)

Yingming Sun Army
Spc. Yingming Sun, US Army

Spc. Yingming Sun, 25, of Monterey Park, California, joined the Army in October 2013. He was a motor transport operator and had been assigned to 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood since August 2014. His awards and decorations include National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Overseas Service Ribbon.

Learn more from III Corps and Fort Hood Facebook page here.

For more information: On This Day, Eight Army Soldiers & One West Point Cadet Died in a Flash Flood Training Accident at Fort Hood in Texas (June 2, 2016)

Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX):

Mr. Speaker, Texas has been hammered by historic torrential rain and flooding. As the Texas floodwaters rose, 12 soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas, were crossing Owl Creek in a 21⁄2-ton Light Medium Tactical Vehicle when it became stuck in the Owl Creek low water crossing.

Suddenly, the vehicle was swept over and sent downstream by fast-moving water. Nine American soldiers drowned in the massive flood waters. Today, we remember them, and here they are: Staff Sergeant Miguel Colon Vazquez, 38, from New York.

He had just spent four tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan; Specialist Christine Armstrong, 27, of California; PFC Brandon Banner, 22, of Florida; PFC Zachery Fuller, 23, of Florida; Private Isaac Deleon, 19, of Texas. He was the youngest of all of them.

He had only been in the Army for 17 months; Private Eddy Rae’Laurin Gates, 20, of North Carolina—a former homecoming queen; Private Tysheena James, 21, of New Jersey; West Point cadet Mitchell Winey, 21, of Indiana; Specialist Yingming Sun, 25, of California. These are the nine who drowned recently in the Texas floods.

The soldiers were members of the 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Cavalry Division. These American soldiers were volunteers who swore to protect the United States.

They were a cut above the rest and were ready to defend freedom at home and abroad. Their lives were ripped from this world and their families all too soon. We are grateful for them and their families for their service and their sacrifices.

These soldiers are the best of America. Our thoughts and prayers are with the soldiers and their families, who have been devastated by the floods of Texas this spring.

Related Links:
SPC Yingming Sun (1990-2016)
Yingming Sun, 25, of Copperas Cove died June 2
Officials ID 9th Soldier Killed by Flood Waters During Training Accident
Army releases names of all 9 soldiers killed in Fort Hood truck accident
9th Soldier Killed in Fort Hood Flood Identified
Soldier killed in June 2 Fort Hood accident buried in Killeen
SoCal soldiers ID’d as 2 of 9 killed in Fort Hood training accident
2 SoCal Residents Among 9 Soldiers Killed in Fort Hood Accident
Two Southern California residents among nine soldiers killed in Ft. Hood accident
2 Southern California Residents Among 9 Soldiers Killed in Fort Hood Training Accident
Flash flooding kills 9 | Fort Hood Sentinel
The Faces of the Fort Hood Tragedy
Profiles of the Fort Hood Soldiers Tragically Killed By Texas Flooding
Fort Hood Flood Victims: Photos to Remember the Fallen Soldiers
Fort Hood memorial held for drowned soldiers
Community mourns soldiers killed in accident
Thousands honor Fort Hood fallen Soldiers
Fallen soldiers honored with flowers on Fort Hood
1 year since 9 died at Fort Hood
9 remembered on anniversary of deaths
Fort Hood: Anniversary of deaths of 9 soldiers passes quietly
Families remember the 9 who died in 2016 training accident
Families continue to grieve one year after nine die in flooding on Fort Hood
‘They never should have been out there’: Fort Hood soldier’s father struggles to understand deadly disaster
Army Soldiers at Fort Hood in Texas Are Dying at Alarming Rates Stateside
Violent Crime, Suicide, and Non Combat Death at Fort Hood, Texas (US Army)
The Fort Hood Nine | Ted Poe | Medium
The Fort Hood, Texas, Nine | Congressman Ted Poe

Fear Thy Neighbor Premiered ‘Bonfire of Blood’ on Investigation Discovery: Escalating Property Dispute Between Walter Stephens & Bob Hall Turns Deadly (May 25, 2016)

ID Go: An argument about access to a disputed road puts two Lompico, California men at each other’s throats. Things progress from intimidation and property damage to a backhoe attack and, finally, one of the most shocking murders the area has ever seen. -Bonfire of Blood, Fear Thy Neighbor (S3, E9)

Coast Guard veteran Walter Stephens shot and killed Bob Hall in Lompico, California on November 20, 1998. After killing Bob, Walt burned and attempted to hide his body in a bonfire on his property. Bob’s co-workers grew concerned when Bob didn’t show up for his retirement party at work. They called the police and asked them to do a welfare check on Bob. In the course of the investigation, police learned from family members that if anything happened to Bob, they needed to talk to his neighbor Walter Stephens. Bob and Walter had been in a long standing neighborhood feud with one another over a property issue. When police went to visit Walter at his home, they found him tending a large fire. They questioned Walter about Bob’s disappearance but he denied having any knowledge or information useful to the missing persons investigation. Upon closer examination of the bonfire, the police observed what appeared to be human remains in the fire. Walter admitted to killing Bob and he was arrested.

Fellow neighbors always thought it would be the other way around, that Bob would kill Walter. Some believe Walter finally snapped. Bob’s family believed it was first degree murder. Facing a possible death sentence, Walter pleaded self-defense but the prosecutors believed otherwise after the forensic evidence was examined. Walter said he thought Bob had a weapon when he approached him late one night on his property but his gun told another story. Walter pistol whipped Bob with his gun and then shot him while he was helpless and down on the ground. Prosecutors argued it wasn’t self-defense, it was straight up murder. They believed Walter started that confrontation with Bob that night with the intent to kill. Walter Stephens was found guilty and sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for second degree murder. He got 14 years for the murder and another 25 years for use of weapon. Bob’s bones were burned and mostly disintegrated and his body was not recognizable. Detectives believe that had the police not discovered Bob’s remains in the fire, Walter Stephens may have got away with it.

Source: ‘Bonfire of Blood’ Fear Thy Neighbor, Investigation Discovery

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch all of the Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. Download the ID Go app and binge away. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $2.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict.

Related Links:
Bob Hall v Walter Stephens | Superior Court of California (1998)
Missing Man’s Body Found in Brushfire
Man held as suspect in neighbor’s murder
Stephens v. Tilton | United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit (Jul 11, 2007)
Bonfire of Blood | Fear Thy Neighbor | Investigation Discovery (S3, E9)
Bonfire of Blood | Fear Thy Neighbor | Investigation Discovery (website)
Bonfire of Blood | Fear Thy Neighbor | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Fear Thy Neighbor: 23 Veteran Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

Murder Book Premiered ‘Come Back Jack’ on Investigation Discovery: Disabled Veteran Jack Irwin Disappears in Upland, California (February 25, 2016)

Four years after a 71 year-old Korean War hero goes missing near Upland, California, a DA’s investigator picks up a trail of clues that seem to lead to the victim’s closest friends. -Come Back Jack, Murder Book (S2,E13) 

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

Related Links:
Come Back Jack | Murder Book | Investigation Discovery (S2,E13)
Come Back Jack | Murder Book | Investigation Discovery (website)
Come Back Jack | Murder Book | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Disabled Army Veteran Jack Irwin Murdered for Disability Benefits, Bank Account & Assets; Marcia Johnson Sentenced to Life, No Parole (September 13, 1999)
Deadly Women: 30 Military and Veteran Homicide Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

Army Sgt. Joseph Stifter Died of Wounds Suffered When Armored HMMWV was Involved in Roll-over Accident in Iraq (2016)

Screen Shot 2017-07-14 at 3.35.18 PM
Sgt. Joseph Stifter, US Army

Army Sgt. Joseph Stifter, 30, of Glendale, California, died of wounds suffered when his armored HMMWV was involved in a roll-over accident on January 28, 2016 at Al Asad Airbase, Al Anbar Province, Iraq. Sgt. Stifter was supporting Operation Inherent Resolve on behalf of the 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas. At the time of the press release, the incident was under investigation.

Related Links:
Obituary: Joseph Francis Stifter
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
Fort Riley Soldier Dies in Iraq
Fort Riley Soldier Killed
Soldier who died in Iraq accident is identified
Sgt. Joseph Stifter, former Fort Riley soldier, dies in Iraq
Fort Riley soldier dies during Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq
Soldier from Glendale killed in crash while serving in Iraq
Glendale Soldier Killed In Rollover Accident In Iraq
Soldier From Glendale Killed in Rollover Crash at Iraq Airbase
Flags at half-staff to honor Army soldier from Glendale killed in Iraq
Community mourns the death of Sgt. Joseph Stifter
St. Francis Alumnus Dies in Iraq Accident
Nearly five years after Petraeus scandal, bad decisions still resonate
Statue Dedication Honoring Local Soldiers
Tribute To Our Fallen Soldiers – US Army Sgt. Joseph F. Stifter, 30, of Glendale, California
Enduring Heroes to Honor Local Fallen Soldiers with a Monument in Pasadena
Families will honor Pasadena soldiers’ sacrifice at ‘Enduring Heroes’ monument unveiling
It’s Time to Honor, It’s Time to Remember: Enduring Heroes


Sgt. Joseph F. Stifter, US Army

I’d Kill For You Premiered ‘First to Die’ on ID: Contentious Child Custody Case Leads to Shocking Murder of Navy Veteran John Marmo (January 23, 2016)

A shotgun wedding leaves naval officers John Marmo and Rebecca Braswell in a troubled marriage with a baby. As the relationship crumbles, allegations of infidelity and abuse run rampant. A fierce custody battle pushes both sides in a deadly battle. -First to Die, I’d Kill for You (S3,E3) 

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

Related Links:
Rebecca Braswell, John Marmo, Jr.: Investigation Discovery’s ‘I’d Kill for You’ Shocks with Story of Naval Seabees who Murdered Camarillo Man Over Child Custody
Prosecutor: Navy Petty Officer Rebecca Braswell Considered a Pure Sociopath
Navy Seabee Rebecca Braswell Conspired to Have Ex-Husband & Navy Veteran John Marmo Murdered; Sentenced to Life in Prison (December 1, 2006)
First to Die | I’d Kill for You | Investigation Discovery (S3,E3)
First to Die | I’d Kill for You | Investigation Discovery (website)
First to Die | I’d Kill for You | Investigation Discovery (Prime Video)

Snapped Premiered ‘Carmen Montelongo’ on Oxygen: Gold Digger Kills & Dismembers Samuel Wiggins Jr., Drains Bank Accounts (September 27, 2015)

A mysterious disappearance leads police to a woman pushing a trash can full of body parts down the street. -Carmen Montelongo, Snapped (S16, E4)

Investigation Discovery:

With hearts of stone, these Deadly Women give their men special send-offs when “Love Leaves Town.” -Love Leaves Town, Deadly Women (S10, E12)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $3.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict. Download the ID Go app or purchase ID True Crime Files & binge away.

Related Links:
Carmen Montelongo | Snapped | Oxygen (S16,E4)
Carmen Montelongo | Snapped | Oxygen (Amazon)
Love Leaves Town | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (S10, E12)
Love Leaves Town | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (website)
Love Leaves Town | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Love Leaves Town | Deadly Women | Investigation Discovery (Hulu)
Army Veteran Samuel Wiggins Jr. Stabbed to Death by Girlfriend; Carmen Montelongo Found Guilty & Sentenced to 26 Years to Life in Prison (May 29, 2011)
Deadly Women Premiered ‘Love Leaves Town’ on Investigation Discovery: Carmen Montelongo Wanted Samuel Wiggins Money, Not Him (November 25, 2016)
Deadly Women: 30 Military and Veteran Homicide Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

Norman Early III Lured to Married Lover’s Home to “Pay Him a Lesson”; Three Former Marines Sentenced in the California Robbery & Beating Case (2015)

USMC

“I knew what my fate was. I was going to be murdered.” -Norman Early III

On the morning of September 20, 2015, Diana Reyes lured Norman Early III into her home so her husband and his friends could “pay him a lesson” for an alleged affair Early had with Reyes while her husband was deployed overseas with the US Marine Corps. Early claims that he thought she was separated and getting a divorce. He even stated that he loved her and although they were involved romantically, he never slept with her. Reyes on the other hand sat in a room in the house and listened to him being beat by her husband and his Marine buddies. Norman Early sustained an orbital fracture, his eye was bruised and swollen shut, and he had numerous contusions to his head and body. Marines Sergio Medina, Rodrigo Sanchez, and Leonardo Ortiz were initially charged with several felonies, including attempted murder, kidnapping, and torture. The attempted murder and kidnapping charges were dismissed during the preliminary hearing. Their lawyers accepted a plea deal for first-degree robbery. Lance Cpl. Sergio Medina was sentenced to 6 years in prison. Lance Cpl. Rodrigo Sanchez and Lance Cpl. Leonardo Ortiz were sentenced to 3 years in prison. Military officials said all three were discharged from the Marine Corps.

Related Links:
Dad: 3 marines kidnap, assault son after alleged affair
Reports: U.S. Marines beat, choked man over alleged affair
Court documents show suspect confessed to beating, robbing victim
Kidnapping, attempted murder charges against Marines dismissed
Three former U.S. Marines take plea deal in beating case
Former U.S. Marines sentenced to prison in beating case
3 Former Marines Sentenced To Prison In Beating Case
Marine veterans sentenced for brutally beating man who had an affair with one of their wives
Three former Marines sentenced for brutal beating of man who had an affair with one of their wives
Three Marines sentenced for beating man who had affair with Marine’s wife while deployed

Fear Thy Neighbor Premiered ‘Good Fences Make Dead Neighbors’ on ID: Paul Tracey Created a Kill Zone & Fatally Shot Anthony Davis (May 4, 2015)

ID Go: Instead of a brand new start, a man’s move to Canyon Country, California, finds him locked in a bizarre and increasingly acrimonious eight year feud with his neighbor –that is finally resolved with blasts from a shotgun. -Good Fences Make Dead Neighbors, Fear Thy Neighbor (S2, E4)

Date: September 24, 2011
Homicide Victim: Anthony ‘Tony’ Davis, disabled, teacher
Offender: Lennie Paul Tracey, 51, Army veteran (self-described), disabled
Location: Santa Clarita, California
Circumstances: Escalating neighborhood dispute, Paul created a military kill zone on his property, Paul lured Tony and shot him twice, homicide, Paul stated he discharged weapon in anger, claimed he was an Army veteran (incriminated self), obsessed with what neighbors were up to, paranoid, video recording revealed premeditated murder
Disposition: Paul Tracey claimed self-defense, found guilty of first degree murder, sentenced to 50 years in prison for Tony’s homicide and 14 years in prison for threatening to kill Cindy Davis

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch all of the Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. Download the ID Go app and binge away. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $2.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict.

Related Links:
Anthony Davis, 51 [Update]
Canyon Country Man Murdered
Canyon Country Man Murdered Over Neighborhood Dispute
Man allegedly killed neighbor over years-long dispute in Santa Clarita
Man Killed Outside His Home, Neighbor Suspected
Man allegedly kills neighbor in dispute over lights
Kill Thy Neighbor: Canyon Country Man Murdered
Valley News: Neighbor Killing (San Fernando)
Neighbors’ feud over lights leads to murder charge
Wife of alleged murderer takes the stand
Canyon Country man found guilty of murder
Man convicted of killing neighbor in feud over lights
Canyon Country man guilty of killing neighbor after feud over lighting
Lennie Paul Tracey Convicted of Murdering Neighbor Anthony Jay Davis
Sentencing of Canyon Country Murderer Delayed
Canyon Country Shotgun Killer Gets 50 to Life
Canyon Country Man Receives 64 Years For Murder, Assault Charges
Anthony Davis’s neighbor Lennie Paul Tracey shot him twice with a shotgun after dispute escalated – Fear Thy Neighbor
Lennie Paul Tracey | True Crime Stories
Good Fences Make Dead Neighbors | Fear Thy Neighbor | Investigation Discovery (S2, E4)
Good Fences Make Dead Neighbors | Fear Thy Neighbor | Investigation Discovery (website)
Good Fences Make Dead Neighbors | Fear Thy Neighbor | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Fear Thy Neighbor: 23 Veteran Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery

Fear Thy Neighbor Premiered ‘Driveway of Death’ on Investigation Discovery: John Kenney Fatally Shot The Grimes Over Shared Driveway Dispute (April 27, 2015)

Preview: Neighbors go to war when an older man obssesses over the boundary lines of his property and won’t let his neighbors anywhere near it. -Driveway of Death, Fear Thy Neighbor (S2, E3)

Korean War veteran John Kenney fatally shot and killed his neigbors Mel and Elizabeth Grimes on January 29, 2007 in Carmel Valley, California. In the beginning, the three were friends and Elizabeth even looked after John’s house when he was gone for months at a time. And the Grime’s dog used to visit John on his property. The two neighbors got along great although they were very different. John was neat and tidy and his yard wasn’t cluttered whatsoever. The Grimes home on the other hand was decorated in their own way. They collected some odd stuff but only John could see it. The problems began when John’s need for order kicked into overdrive and he began to assert himself. John started complaining about the dog digging holes and invasive plant species. John and the Grimes also had to share a driveway and the Grimes had to cross over a small piece of John’s property to get to their carport. The arrangement had worked for years until a shared bridge needed to be repaired.

John and the Grimes shared a road with a bridge in need of repair. Mel Grimes offered to fix it and told John he had a lot of people who owed him labor. John Kenney didn’t want to cut corners and told Mel he wanted everything to be built to code. And then a short time later, on his own, Kenney hired an engineer to draw up the plans. Afterwards, he handed a bill to the Grimes and expected them to pay half. The Grimes didn’t want to pay for half of the cost of the engineer because they felt they could have done it cheaper. John went to court and sued the Grimes for the portion of the bill they should pay for and the court ruled in John’s favor. John wasn’t the only one in disputes with the Grimes. Another neighbor complained about the Grimes using their land as a dumping ground too. This neighbor said the Grimes dumped invasive plant species on his property and the behavior didn’t stop until they were reported; the Grimes mostly complied with the city ordinances.

John Kenney started getting really upset about the Grime’s dog making a mess on his property. The dog was defecating on another neighbor’s property as well. Kenney’s obsession with order and the Grime’s chaos clashed once again and this time it was over the shared driveway. Kenney decided to draw a line in the sand and assert his property rights. He told the Grimes not to drive over his property anymore to get to their carport. The Grimes blew him off because it was a very small piece of land and the only way to get to their carport. In response, the Grimes put up no trespassing signs on their property facing John Kenney. He was the only one who could see the signs and Kenney thought they were trying to provoke him. The Grimes also blared loud music in their yard in what seemed to be another aggressive move. John turned to City Hall for help and started reporting the Grimes for out of code buildings on their land. They both reported each other for building without a permit.

According to the Mel and Elizabeth’s son, the couple wanted John Kenney to leave and Mel Grimes was the type to fight back and never back down to a bully. But some in the neighborhood felt the Grimes were the bullies. The shared driveway made things complicated between John Kenney and the Grimes. As a result, the issue went to court and this decision didn’t go in Mel Grimes way either. John Kenney planted a garden on the dirt patch in front of the Grimes’ carport to stake out his property. When Mel came home from work, he ran over the garden that blocked his access to his carport and destroyed it with his vehicle. John started taking pictures of Mel destroying the plants with his car. Elizabeth ran out and grabbed John Kenney’s camera which was attached to him with a lanyard. As a result, John slammed his head and was harmed in the process. John felt threatened by the Grimes and thought the neighbors wanted to kill him. The Grimes felt imprisoned in their own home.

Elizabeth & Mel Grimes
Elizabeth & Mel Grimes

This escalating feud was confusing to those on the outside. Some bystanders felt for John Kenney and some felt for the Grimes. No one ever imagined it would escalate the way it did. Elizabeth attempted to resolve the situation in her own way. She knew where John went to church and wrote to John’s pastor. But this did nothing to resolve the bitter disagreement and John fired back with a letter in response. Nothing ever came of this exchange either so Elizabeth went public. She went to John’s church and interrupted a bible study meeting he attended and asked them for prayer and resolution. She questioned how John could be at a bible study meeting and harass them at the same time. Elizabeth felt this was hypocrisy. Now John didn’t feel safe anywhere and filed a restraining order. The restraining order required that both parties turn in their guns. John did not tell the courts he had a gun; the Grimes turned in a decorative gun. Mel developed an irregular heartbeat due to the stress.

It was hard to avoid one another when John Kenney and the Grimes had to share a driveway. John Kenney wasn’t backing down either. On January 29, 2007, Kenney had a boulder delivered to stake out his property in front of the Grimes’ carport. This made it impossible for the Grimes to get to their carport. Kenney knew that rock would get a reaction out of Mel and he would blow a fuse. When Mel returned home from work, he began destroying the rock so he could gain access to his carport. Elizabeth called the police to resolve the situation and asked Mel not to touch the boulder because she wanted the police to handle it. Once John Kenney realized Mel Grimes was destroying the boulder, Kenney reached his boiling point and confronted the Grimes with a gun in hand. When police got to the scene, they found two gunshot victims. Mel Grimes was dead and Elizabeth Grimes was shot but still alive. Elizabeth told the police John Kenney was the one who shot them.

John Kenney was arrested for two homicides because Elizabeth died en route to the hospital. The neighbors were shocked that things escalated to this kind of violence. The tragedy created a split in the community. Kenney’s fellow church members couldn’t believe he committed first degree murder and supported his claims of self defense. John Kenney said he shot the Grimes because he was attacked with a sledge hammer first. But the forensic evidence and recorded 911 call said otherwise. While Elizabeth was on the phone with 911, John Kenney walked down his driveway with a loaded, concealed gun. When John Kenney reached the Grimes, he pushed Elizabeth out of the way and out of instinct Mel came to her rescue. It was at this time, Kenney pistol whipped Mel Grimes and then shot him. Mel Grimes’ DNA was found on the weapon and the head injuries on Mel were consistent with blows to the head. John Kenney didn’t stop there.

After shooting Mel Grimes, Kenney turned the gun on Elizabeth and shot her. The 911 recording captured the last words the Grimes said to each other as they lay on the ground with gunshot wounds. “I love you.” An investigation revealed that Elizabeth was shot while she was laying on the ground next to her husband. She attempted to protect herself and block the bullets with her arms. John was heard on the 911 recording saying “welcome to hell Elizabeth” before he shot her in the back. John Kenney went to trial and was found guilty of the first degree murder of Elizabeth Grimes and second degree murder of Mel Grimes. Kenney was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. What John Kenney didn’t know was Elizabeth and Mel Grimes had purchased a home in Hawaii and were planning to move. The Grimes’ family found solace with the fact that Elizabeth and Mel got to say I love you to one another before they died together.

Source: ‘Driveway of Death’ Fear Thy Neighbor, Investigation Discovery

In the News:

John Kenney, the Carmel Valley man accused of killing two of his neighbors, is set to appear at a preliminary hearing. -KSBW Action News 8 (October 26, 2007)

A preliminary hearing has begun for Carmel Valley resident John Kenney, who is accused of killing neighbors Mel And Elizabeth Grimes. -KSBW Action News 8 (October 29, 2007)

KSWB reports on John Kenney, the Central Coast man ordered to stand trial for the murder of his neighbors and the fate of the couple’s dogs. -KSBW Action News 8 (December 21, 2007)

Prosecutors say they are seeking a new trial for perjury charges. -KSBW Action News 8 (March 21, 2008)

A 911 call was played out in court Wednesday in the case of a Carmel Valley man accused of killing his neighbors. -KSBW Action News 8 (April 3, 2008)

Almost 800 people have been summoned for jury duty, one of the largest jury pools for a trial in Monterey County. -KSBW Action News 8 (May 6, 2008)

Jury selection continued and the judge made a ruling that could give a glimpse into John Kenney’s mind. -KSBW Action News 8 (May 7, 2008)

The prosecutor in the John Kenny murder trial was removed from the case. -KSBW Action News 8 (May 16, 2008)

A new development is revealed in the case against John Kenney, the man accused of murdering his neighbors, Mel and Elizabeth Grimes. -KSBW Action News 8 (August 11, 2008)

The defense attorneys for John Kenney argued in court Wednesday about calling witnesses that would show Elisabeth Grimes had a propensity for aggressive behavior. -KSBW Action News 8 (August 13, 2008)

The jury for the trail of John Kenney was seated Wednesday afternoon and opening arguments were scheduled for Friday. -KSBW Action News 8 (August 20, 2008)

The jury in the trial of John Kenney visited the scene where Kenney is accused of killing Mel and Elizabeth Grimes. -KSBW Action News 8 (August 25, 2008)

A U.S. Army colonel testified on Tuesday as a character witness as the testimony phase of the John Kenney trial continued. -KSBW Action News 8 (August 26, 2008)

The deputy who failed to respond to John Kenney’s call for help testified Wednesday about what happened the day Mel and Elizabeth Grimes were shot. -KSBW Action News 8 (August 27, 2008)

The Carmel Valley man accused of killing his neighbors took the stand Thursday in his own defense. -KSBW Action News 8 (August 28, 2008)

John Kenney took the stand for the second day in a row Friday and attempted to explain what happened the day Mel and Elizabeth Grimes were shot to death. -KSBW Action News 8 (August 29, 2008)

An attorney formerly employed by John Kenney testified that he suggested the boulder be placed as a barrier on the disputed land. -KSBW Action News 8 (September 2, 2008)

The brother of one of the victims shot and killed by John Kenney testified Wednesday in court. -KSBW Action News 8 (September 3, 2008)

The former security consultant hired by John Kenney testified that he told Kenney to stay inside his home when Mel Grimes came home from work. -KSBW Action News 8 (September 8, 2008)

The final witnesses were called by the defense Tuesday in the trial of John Kenney. -KSBW Action News 8 (September 9, 2008)

The jury received their instructions from the judge presiding over the trial of John Kenney on Wednesday. -KSBW Action News 8 (September 10, 2008)

Closing arguments wrapped up Thursday in the trial of a Carmel Valley man accused of killing his neighbors. -KSBW Action News 8 (September 11, 2008)

Closing arguments ended and jury deliberation began on Friday in the trial of a Carmel Valley man accused of killing his neighbors. -KSBW Action News 8 (September 12, 2008)

Jurors visited the scene on Monday where a Carmel Valley man is accused of killing his neighbors. -KSBW Action News 8 (September 15, 2008)

John Kenney was sentenced to life without parole on Monday for killing his former neighbors, Mel and Elizabeth Grimes. -KSBW Action News 8 (November 3, 2008)

Investigation Discovery:

ID Go: In the idyllic hills of Carmel Canyon, California, wealthy neighbors get into a dispute over everything from shared roads and bridges to upkeep of their respective properties. Anger finally boils over and the feud is resolved with fatal gunfire. -Driveway of Death, Fear Thy Neighbor (S2, E3)

Editor’s note: With a cable subscription, you can download the free ID Go app and watch all of the Investigation Discovery programming at your convenience. And for those who do not have cable, you can watch “unlocked” episodes on the ID Go app including the latest premieres. Download the ID Go app and binge away. For those who prefer commercial free programming during your binge session, Prime Video has an ID channel: ‘True Crime Files by Investigation Discovery” available for $2.99 a month. It’s a compilation of older seasons but totally worth the cost if you are a true crime addict.

Related Links:
Elizabeth Rosnack Grimes (1951-2007) | Find A Grave
Melvin Noble “Mel” Grimes, Jr (1948-2007) | Find A Grave
Neighbors’ feud turns tragic
Land dispute ends in death of popular couple
Straying over the property line isn’t always deadly, but it can be dangerous
John Kenney found guilty in Grimes killing
Life in prison for man who killed neighbor couple
Man who killed Carmel Valley neighbors in fight over boulder gets life in prison
Kenney gets life, won’t acknowledge guilt
Trouble on the Hill | Dateline NBC
John Kenney alleges errors in appealing conviction in Carmel Valley slayings
Conviction upheld in Carmel Valley double murder
Kenney’s conviction upheld in Carmel Valley murder case
Court of Appeal Upholds John Kenney’s Murder Conviction
Carmel Valley man’s murder conviction appeal denied
Simple Title Search Could Have Saved Two Lives
In the wake of a notorious and grisly murder, mediators have been trying to mend fences – and keep neighbors sane.
Bitter feud between neighbours over land ended in double shooting
10 Disturbing Cases of Neighbors from Hell
Where are they now?

Video Links:
Hearing Planned Following Carmel Valley Killings
Hearing Begins In Carmel Valley Slayings Case
Kenney To Stand Trial, And The Fate Of The Grimes’ Dogs
There Is A New Twist In The Murder Case Against John Kenney
911 Tapes Played During Kenney Hearing
Kenney Defense Portrays Victim As ‘Aggressive’
Jury Selected For Kenney Trial
Kenney Trial Jurors Visit Crime Scene
Army Col. Testifies On Kenney’s Behalf
John Kenny Murder Trial
Jury Selection Starts For The John Kenney Murder Trial
Day Two Of The John Kenny Trial
New Development In John Kenney Murder Case
Deputy Questioned About Kenney’s Civil Standby Request
Kenney Takes The Stand
Kenney Defends Actions To Jurors
Attorney: Kenney Advised To Place Boulder
Grimes’ Brother Testifies At Kenney Trial
Security Consultant Testifies During Kenney Trial
Final Witnesses Called In Kenney Trial
Jury Instructions Handed Out In Kenney Trial
Closing Arguments Wrap Up In Kenney Trial
Jury Begins Deliberations In Kenney Trial
Kenney Jurors Revisit Shooting Scene
Kenney Sentenced To Life Without Parole

Investigation Discovery:
Boundary Wars | Fear Thy Neighbor (Preview)
Driveway of Death | Fear Thy Neighbor | Investigation Discovery (S2, E3)
Driveway of Death | Fear Thy Neighbor | Investigation Discovery (website)
Driveway of Death | Fear Thy Neighbor | Investigation Discovery (Amazon)
Fear Thy Neighbor: 23 Veteran Cases Featured on Investigation Discovery