In the quiet expanse of Vail, Arizona, the life of 61-year-old Vernie Garrison came to a tragic and violent end on January 8, 2025. What initially appeared to be a fatal vehicle collision with a train soon unraveled into a complex homicide investigation. Pima County Sheriff's deputies were called to the scene near East Marsh Station Road and Interstate 10 in the early morning hours, where they discovered Garrison's body inside his truck after it had been struck by a train.
However, the nature of his injuries immediately raised suspicions, as they were inconsistent with the crash.
Further examination revealed a brutal reality: Vernie Garrison had been shot in the head and had sustained several stab wounds. The investigation quickly shifted focus, leading authorities to 24-year-old Kiara Tyler, who was found near the crash site. According to Garrison's grandchildren, he had left with Tyler earlier that evening. Evidence recovered from the truck, including a firearm and a knife covered in blood, further implicated her in his death. A backpack containing blood-stained clothing was also found nearby.
Based on the evidence gathered, authorities determined that an altercation had occurred between Garrison and Tyler, culminating in his death. Kiara Tyler, who appeared to be intoxicated when found by law enforcement, was arrested and subsequently charged with second-degree murder. She was booked into the Pima County Jail as the investigation into the full circumstances surrounding Vernie Garrison's untimely and violent death continued.
