In the quiet Dry Creek Community of Tippah County, Mississippi, the life of 36-year-old Kirby Carpenter, a successful entrepreneur and dealer in precious metals, came to a violent end. His body was discovered outside his home on December 2, 2022, two days after authorities believe he was killed. Investigators found him partially hidden under a curtain and a heavy truck toolbox, having died from a shotgun blast to the chest and neck.
At the scene, his truck was locked with groceries still inside, and while he had a significant amount of cash on his person, a satchel he often carried was missing.
Suspicion soon fell on those closest to him. At the time of his death, Carpenter was living with his girlfriend, 37-year-old Caitlin Spence, and their infant daughter. Her parents, Jeffrey and Karen Spence, had been staying with the couple for four months following the birth of their grandchild. Exactly one year after Carpenter was shot, on November 30, 2023, a coordinated effort by law enforcement led to the arrests of all three family members. U.S. Marshals apprehended Caitlin Spence in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania, while her parents, Jeffrey and Karen, were arrested in Smyth County, Virginia. The family had been persons of interest for a while, but a new piece of evidence finally prompted the arrests. Investigators believe the motive was robbery, as valuables, including gold and silver, were stolen from the home.
Following their arrests and extradition to Mississippi, Caitlin Spence and her parents were indicted on charges of capital murder, conspiracy, and grand larceny. The investigation revealed that after Carpenter's death, locks at his home and on his safes had been changed. His mother, Mattie Jones, grew suspicious after finding some of the stolen silver in the Spences' vehicle during funeral preparations. The case against the family moved forward to trial, with Jeffrey Spence facing a jury in September 2025.
During the trial of 67-year-old Jeffrey Spence, prosecutors argued that he was motivated by money and had traveled from Virginia to Mississippi to commit the murder while robbing Carpenter. They presented evidence of valuable items linked to the victim found in Spence's possession. Conversely, the defense maintained that Spence was over 500 miles away in Saltville, Virginia, on the night of the killing. In a significant development, it was reported that Jeffrey's wife and daughter had accepted a plea deal in exchange for their testimony against him. After a four-day trial and lengthy deliberations, the jury remained deadlocked at 6-6, resulting in a mistrial. Jeffrey Spence remains in custody, with a retrial anticipated in the future.
