In the summer of 2018, a quiet street in Athens, Alabama, became the scene of a heart-wrenching tragedy that claimed the life of 84-year-old Betty Sue Christopher. On Saturday, July 28th, she was found deceased in her home, the victim of a devastating act of violence that also took the life of her 10-year-old grandson, Chevy Christopher. The tranquility of the morning was shattered when Chevy's mother, unable to reach her son or his grandmother, grew concerned.
Her concern led to a relative with a key making the dreadful discovery inside Mrs. Christopher's West Market Street residence. Preliminary investigations by the Athens Police Department painted a grim picture of the events that had transpired. It was determined that Betty Sue Christopher and her grandson were shot and killed while they slept in her bed. The person responsible for this horrific act was her own son and Chevy's father, 54-year-old William 'Billy' Christopher.
The investigation concluded that after killing his mother and son, Billy Christopher then turned the gun on himself, completing a tragic double murder-suicide. As the perpetrator was deceased at the scene, no arrests were made in connection with the deaths of Betty Sue Christopher and her young grandson. The motive behind Billy Christopher's actions remained under investigation as the community mourned the sudden and violent loss of a beloved grandmother and a young boy.
