In the early morning hours of Thursday, January 29, 2026, the life of 43-year-old Rachael Renee Kerr was tragically cut short in what authorities have described as a murder-suicide. The incident unfolded at her home on Northeast 6th Lane in Starke, Florida, a town near the Clay-Bradford County line. Kerr, a local business owner, was killed by her estranged husband, 50-year-old Loyd Alan Kerr, who then took his own life.
The harrowing events began around 5:00 a.m. when Loyd Kerr broke into Rachael's mobile home. Inside were the couple's two children, an 11-year-old daughter and a 9-year-old son. Loyd Kerr woke the children and, after tying up his estranged wife, began to escort her to her car. A neighbor, who had been called by Rachael, arrived at the scene, creating a moment of opportunity for her to attempt an escape. As she fled, Loyd pursued her. The children later recounted to investigators that they heard a single gunshot. Rachael was found deceased in her yard with a gunshot wound to the neck.
Following the shooting, Loyd Kerr returned to his children and chillingly asked if they "wanted to go to heaven with their Dad?". He reportedly pointed the gun at each of them, but they both responded "no". He then turned the gun on himself, inflicting a fatal gunshot wound to his head. The Bradford County Sheriff's Office was alerted to the situation by a 911 hang-up call at approximately 5:15 a.m. Upon arrival, deputies discovered Loyd Kerr's body near the entrance of the residence.
The investigation into the tragic event revealed a significant history of domestic violence. The couple had filed for divorce in July of the previous year, and Rachael had obtained a restraining order against her estranged husband on July 28. Despite the order of protection, Loyd Kerr had been arrested multiple times for violating its terms. These violations included contacting Rachael through his mother and directly via Facebook. He had several pending domestic violence cases at the time of the murder-suicide. The two children were found unharmed at the scene and were placed in the care of the Florida Department of Children and Families, pending placement with relatives.
