In the quiet community of Gardendale, Alabama, a devastating series of events unfolded, leaving a family shattered and a community in mourning. Dana Reeves Lever, a 50-year-old woman, was tragically killed on July 12, 2017. Her life, along with those of her sister, Bonnie Reeves Foshee, 65, and her brother-in-law, Don Austin Foshee, 69, was cut short in a carefully planned act of violence.
The triple homicide took place at the Peachtree Crossings manufactured housing community.
The central figure in this tragedy was identified by authorities as Dana's ex-husband, 52-year-old Kenneth Dion Lever. In the months leading up to the fatal incident, Dana had sought legal protection from her former spouse, obtaining a protective order against him for harassment and stalking. Court records indicated a history of turmoil, with Dana expressing fear for her safety and that of their juvenile daughter. Compounding the situation, Kenneth Lever was also facing legal troubles in Pennsylvania, where he was scheduled to stand trial on charges of sexual abuse of a minor.
On that Wednesday morning, police responded to reports of a shooting and quickly identified Kenneth Lever as the primary suspect. A manhunt ensued, with law enforcement believing he had fled the area, possibly heading back to his residence in Santa Rosa County, Florida. The search for Lever came to a grim conclusion later that same day. U.S. Marshals confirmed that he was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Escambia County, Florida. His death brought an end to the immediate search but left behind a wake of grief and unanswered questions for the victims' loved ones.
