Natasha McKinney, a 34-year-old woman from Crestview, Florida, was tragically killed on April 15, 2018. Natasha was found dead in the bedroom of her home, lying on her back with a gunshot wound to her face. A black semi-automatic handgun was discovered near her head, and a cell phone was found close to her feet. The incident occurred at the residence she shared with her husband, Derek McKinney, and their teenage daughter.
Derek McKinney, a 32-year-old sergeant in the United States Army
7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), was arrested at the scene. He had called 911 and identified himself as the shooter, stating that he had shot his wife and was administering CPR. When officers arrived, they found Derek with blood on his tank top, and he was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with second-degree murder and held without bond initially. However, he was later released on a $35,000 bond, which caused significant distress to Natasha's family.
The investigation into Natasha McKinney's death revealed that Derek McKinney had made statements at the scene, although these were redacted from public records. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement assisted the Crestview Police Department in processing the crime scene and collecting evidence. Despite the arrest and charges, the motive behind the shooting remained unclear, and Natasha's family continued to seek justice for her untimely death.
Derek McKinney entered a not guilty plea on April 20, 2018, and his trial was set for July of the same year. The case drew significant attention due to Derek's military background and the nature of the crime. Natasha's sister, Dawn Minor, expressed her grief and determination to be a voice for her sister, emphasizing the need for justice regardless of Derek's status as a soldier. The community of Crestview was left reeling from the incident, as it was the first murder within the city limits that year.
