On a tragic evening in Danville, Alabama, the life of 54-year-old Teresa Lynn Peters was cut short in a violent act that also claimed the lives of two others. The shooting, which occurred on May 24, 2020, was a result of a domestic incident, according to authorities. Also killed in the attack were 55-year-old James Edward Miller and 50-year-old Tammy Renee Smith. A fourth victim, Mary Kennedy, who was the mother of Teresa and Tammy, was also shot but survived her injuries.
The investigation quickly led authorities to identify Carson Ray Peters as the suspect. For nearly two days, he remained at large, prompting a manhunt. Believed to be armed and dangerous, he was thought to be traveling with his girlfriend, April Hanner. Hanner was later arrested in Piedmont, Alabama, and charged with hindering prosecution for allegedly assisting Peters in hiding from law enforcement. After being tracked down by U.S. Marshals, Carson Peters surrendered at Decatur's River Walk Marina.
Following his arrest, Carson Peters was charged with three counts of capital murder. In November 2023, he accepted a plea deal to avoid the death penalty. Peters pleaded guilty to the murders of his ex-wife Teresa Lynn Peters, her sister Tammy Renee Smith, and James Edward Miller. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murders and received an additional 20-year sentence for the assault on Mary Kennedy. The case concluded without a trial, bringing a degree of closure to the families of the victims.
