Brad McGarry, a 43-year-old man from Bellaire, Ohio, was found dead in his home on May 7, 2017. Initially, the scene appeared to be a burglary gone wrong, as the house was ransacked and Brad was discovered with two gunshot wounds to the head in the basement. However, further investigation revealed that nothing of value was taken, and there were no signs of forced entry.
The police quickly focused on Brad's personal life and discovered that he had recently ended a relationship with an
individual named Scotty. Scotty was in jail at the time of the murder, ruling him out as a suspect. The investigation then turned to Brad's close friend, David Kinney, who had visited Brad's home on the day of the murder to drop off a weed trimmer. David's wife and daughter were with him and discovered Brad's body.
David Kinney initially claimed to be a witness but changed his story multiple times during questioning. Eventually, he admitted to killing Brad, claiming it was in self-defense. However, the police determined that the crime scene had been staged to mislead the investigation. David was arrested on May 9, 2017, and charged with first-degree murder.
The case highlighted the complexities of Brad's life as an openly gay man in a small, conservative town. Despite facing bullying and hurtful comments, Brad had a supportive network of friends who cherished his presence. His death was a tragic end to a life marked by challenges and authenticity.
David Kinney was later convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to prison. The case was featured on the show "Dateline: Dangerous Secret," shedding light on the sequence of events that led to Brad's demise.
Brad McGarry's death remains a poignant reminder of the impact of personal relationships and the dangers that can arise from hidden secrets.