On the evening of October 15, 2025, a violent roadside confrontation in the Austin Bottom area of DeKalb County, Tennessee, claimed the life of 68-year-old Karen Carter, a female resident of Baxter. The incident, which unfolded on Vickers Ridge Road, also resulted in the death of her 29-year-old son, Ceil Martindale. A third individual was wounded during the altercation and was subsequently airlifted to a hospital for medical treatment.
Deputies from the DeKalb County Sheriff's
Department were dispatched to the scene shortly after 7:30 p.m. Upon their arrival, they discovered two individuals deceased, later identified as Carter and Martindale. The preliminary investigation suggested that a dispute between three individuals escalated, leading to the fatal gunfire.
Multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Putnam County Sheriff's Department, the District Attorney General's Office, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, have been involved in the ongoing investigation. Authorities have been processing evidence and conducting interviews to piece together the events that transpired. As of the latest reports, no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified in connection with the deaths of Karen Carter and Ceil Martindale. The investigation remains active as officials continue to gather information to determine the circumstances of the deadly confrontation.
