Wednesday, August 29, 2007

Couple Dies In Murder-Suicide

   Law enforcement officials are continuing their investigation into a murder-suicide that reportedly took place at a home situated near the Lawrence/Giles County border Tuesday night.

   The call regarding a domestic dispute at 4699 Pulaski Highway went out at 8:42 p.m.. When Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputies arrived on the scene, they found the couple’s eleven-year-old daughter on the porch. According to reports, she told them that “her father had mer mother around the neck with a gun to her head…dragging her to the basement.”

   Chief Deputy Terry Beecham said Wednesday morning that while one deputy spoke with the youngster, additional units had responded and moved to the rear of the house. Shortly thereafter, deputies reported hearing muffled gunshots.

   “They formed a five-member search team since there was no response from inside the home,” Beecham explained. “When they entered through the front door, on the west side, physical evidence lead them downstairs, across a trophy room, and to a wall safe.” Reports show that deputies found sings of struggle, including earrings lying on the floor, a small hole in the wall, items lying on the floor, and a small amount of blood on the wall and floor. Further into the house, deputies reported finding “a large amount of blood spray that lead,” to a vault area.

   The vault was a room measuring approximately 5’ x 20’, with a Cabalas “Fort Knox” type door sealing the entrance. “The door weighs around 1,500 pounds,” Beecham stated, “and has a combination lock.”

   Deputies contacted the Cabalas company and were able to obtain a combination for the lock, however, “several attempts to open the safe failed.”

   “We contacted New Prospect Fire Department,” said Beecham, “and they brought their jaws of life to the scene. We cut the door frame, forced open the door and were then able to make entry. We found both individuals deceased from gunshot wounds.” The process of cutting open the door took approximately two hours. Once inside, they determined that the door had been wedged shut with a landscape timber.

   The victims were identified as Donna Mix, age 41, and Randy Mix, age 48. Authorities said it appeared Randy Mix had shot his wife, then turned the gun upon himself. Reports indicate that both apparently died as the result of, “close range shotgun wounds to the face/head.” A 12 gauge shotgun was found near Randy Mix’s body.

   The couple was reportedly going through a divorce at the time. The couple’s daughter was released into the custody of relatives. Both bodies were dispatched to Nashville for autopsy.

   “We would like to express our sincere appreciation to members of other departments who assisted in the operation,” Beecham said, “including the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Lawrenceburg Police Department, New Prospect Fire Department, Lawrence County Ambulance Service, Lawrence Central Dispatch, and the Tennessee Public Safety Network.”

   The investigation has now been turned over for review by District Attorney Mike Bottoms.

 

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