Former WBRC reporter Christina Chambers and her husband, Johnny Rimes, were found dead inside their Hoover, Alabama, home in an incident investigators are treating as a suspected murder-suicide. Their 3-year-old son, who was unharmed, opened the door for his grandfather, who discovered the bodies. Chambers, a longtime local sports reporter who later taught broadcast journalism, was honored as the 2024 Advisor of the Year by the Alabama Scholastic Press Association. Authorities continue to investigate.
3-Year-Old Let Grandfather In, Who Then Discovered Former WBRC Reporter Christina Chambers and Husband Dead; Police Investigate Suspected Murder-Suicide
Sports reporter’s 3-year-old opened door for grandpa who then found couple dead in home: report
A 3-year-old answered the front door and let his grandfather into the family home in Hoover, Alabama, where the bodies of former WBRC sports reporter Christina Chambers and her husband, Johnny Rimes, were later found, neighbors and investigators said. The Hoover Police Department is treating the deaths as a suspected murder-suicide; the child was in the house at the time and was unharmed.
Former Alabama sports reporter Christina Chambers leaves behind a 3-year-old child, who was found unharmed inside the family’s home after both Champers and her husband were killed in an apparent murder-suicide in Hoover, Alabama on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.
How the Scene Was Discovered
Rimes’ father went to the couple’s home shortly after 9 a.m. when they failed to appear at a prearranged church event, neighbor Charles Maple told People. According to Maple and investigators, the boy opened the door for his grandfather, who then discovered the couple’s bodies inside the residence.
Former Alabama sports reporter Christina Chambers and her husband, Johnny Rimes, were found dead inside their family home in Hoover, Alabama, on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025.
“The child answered the door,” Maple said, citing investigators. “And then they went back [into the home], and they found the bodies.”
Police Statement and Investigation
Hoover police have confirmed the bodies were discovered Tuesday morning and said they are investigating the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Officials have not released further details publicly as their inquiry continues and declined immediate additional comment to news outlets.
Former Alabama sports reporter Christina Chambers reportedly left broadcast journalism to pursue a career in teaching.
Chambers’ Career and Community Impact
Christina Chambers joined WBRC in 2015 and became a familiar presence on the station’s Sideline program, providing primetime coverage of local sports and reporting live from games and events. She left her full-time role in July 2021 to pursue teaching but continued to freelance for the station during the 2025 football season.
Chambers later taught broadcast journalism at Thompson High School and was named the 2024 Advisor of the Year by the Alabama Scholastic Press Association. Colleagues and students remembered her warmth, energy and professionalism.
“Christina Chambers had a beautiful ability to naturally feel like a friend immediately,” reporter Gillian Brooks said. WBRC anchor Jeh Jeh Pruitt called her “one of the sweetest, most loving people” he knew and recalled recently embracing her at a community event.
Community Reaction
The deaths have shocked neighbors, former colleagues and the school community. Those who knew Chambers praised her dedication to students and to local sports coverage, while officials continue to examine the facts to determine exactly what happened.
Out of respect for the family and the ongoing investigation, authorities have asked anyone with information to contact the Hoover Police Department.
