On a tragic day in Clarksville, Tennessee, the life of 3-year-old Kayden Jay Hazel was cut short. On September 14, 2017, the young male, along with his 23-year-old mother, Keara Hazel, and his 9-month-old sister, Jaylynn Hazel, were found shot to death in their home on Mills Drive. The devastating discovery was made after police responded to the residence.
The suspect in this heartbreaking case was the children's father and Keara's husband, 27-year-old Jordan Hazel. He was found at the home and was taken into custody by the Clarksville Police Department. During an interview with detectives, Jordan Hazel confessed to the killings. He admitted to shooting his wife and two young children. Neighbors later reported hearing a woman's scream from the home before police arrived.
The investigation revealed a chilling sequence of events. Jordan Hazel told police he had been experiencing financial difficulties. He retrieved a shotgun that a friend had been keeping for him and returned to his home. He first shot and killed his wife, Keara. He then left the house, leaving his two children alone with their deceased mother. He later returned and shot both Kayden and Jaylynn. After committing the murders, he took a shower and went to bed. He told investigators that he believed killing his family would 'solve problems for everybody' and that he 'would get his life back.'
Jordan Hazel was charged with three counts of first-degree murder. In August 2020, he pleaded guilty to all charges to avoid a trial. The plea agreement resulted in him being sentenced to two life sentences, with the possibility of parole after serving 110 years. Prior to his plea, there had been a competency hearing where his defense attorney argued he was not mentally stable enough to stand trial, but the judge ruled that he was competent. The tragic loss of Kayden, Jaylynn, and Keara Hazel left their family and the community in profound grief.
