In the fall of 2019, the life of 51-year-old Sharon Kathleen 'Kitty' Kell was tragically cut short in what authorities have described as a murder-suicide. A lifelong resident of the North Georgia area, Kell was a loving mother, daughter, grandmother, and sister. She had graduated from East Ridge High School in 1986 and was employed at Interstate Machinery.
On Tuesday, October 1, 2019, deputies from the Catoosa County Sheriff's Office responded to a domestic dispute call at a residence on
Clara Lee Road in Rossville, Georgia. Upon their arrival, they witnessed a harrowing scene. David Bryan White, 51, was seen standing over Kell in the front yard, firing multiple gunshots. As the deputies sought cover, White then turned the gun on himself, taking his own life. Both Kell and White were pronounced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds to the head.
The investigation into their deaths revealed a troubled history of domestic issues between the couple, who were married at the time. Court records showed that Kell had sought and obtained three separate court orders of protection against White since September of 2018. In the months leading up to the fatal incident, White's behavior had reportedly become increasingly hostile, and he was drinking frequently. Just over a month prior, on August 26, he had allegedly threatened to 'slit her throat' after destroying several televisions and pieces of furniture in their home. Following that incident, warrants were issued for his arrest on charges of terroristic threats and second-degree criminal damage. He was arrested on September 8 but was released on bond the same day.
The tragic event highlighted the devastating cycle of domestic violence. The Catoosa County Sheriff's Office expressed the need for continued awareness and assistance for families in similar situations. No further arrests were made as the sole suspect in Kell's murder was deceased.
