Katherine Anne 'Kate' Freel, a 27-year-old female, was a woman known for her optimistic and amazing personality, whose smile and laughter brought warmth to everyone she met. Deeply devoted to her family, her selfless love was reflected in the joyful and kind-hearted nature of her two young children, a son and a daughter. She had a particular affection for ducks and found joy in celebrating holidays with her loved ones. Her life was tragically cut short on September 6, 2015, in Williamsburg, Virginia.
In the late evening hours of September 5, 2015, after visiting with a neighbor, Katherine returned to her home in the 200 block of Wichita Lane in York County. An argument ensued between Katherine and her husband, Mark A. Freel Jr., a Petty Officer 1st Class in the U.S. Navy. According to his later confession, Mark felt belittled by his wife's words during the argument. In a moment of tragic violence, he used a Springfield XD-40 handgun to fatally shoot her. Their two children, a 4-year-old boy and a 5-month-old girl, were present in the house at the time of the incident.
Following the shooting, at approximately 12:45 a.m. on September 6, Mark Freel called 911 and confessed to killing his wife. When deputies from the York-Poquoson Sheriff's Office arrived at the residence, they found Mark Freel at the front door. He was taken into custody without resistance. Inside, they discovered Katherine Freel deceased in the master bedroom. During questioning by investigators, he once again confessed to the murder, stating he wanted to take responsibility for his actions. The two children were unharmed and were subsequently placed in the care of Katherine's family.
Mark Freel was arrested and charged with second-degree murder and the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony. He was held without bond at the Virginia Peninsula Regional Jail. In May 2016, Mark Freel pleaded guilty to the charges of second-degree murder, a non-premeditated killing, and use of a firearm in the commission of a felony in the York-Poquoson Circuit Court. He faced a maximum sentence of 43 years in prison, with his sentencing scheduled for August 18, 2016.
