Alabama sports reporter’s 3-year-old led grandfather to bodies: report

The 3-year-old son of a beloved Alabama sportscaster and her husband, who was found dead earlier this week, reportedly took his grandfather to the family’s home to explore the tragic scene.

The bodies of former WBRC 6 sports reporter Christina Chambers and her husband, Johnny Rimes, were found Tuesday morning at the family’s Hoover home in what authorities believe was a murder-suicide, according to the Hoover Police Department.

Police said that a 3-year-old child was also at home at the time of the incident, but he was not harmed.

Rimes’ father visited the couple’s home shortly after 9 a.m. after the couple failed to show up for a previously scheduled church event, neighbor Charles Maple said. I told people.

SPORTS REPORTER AND HIS WIFE WERE FOUND DEAD IN SUSPICION OF MURDER AND SUICIDE, WHEN THEY DID NOT HARM THE 3-YEAR-OLD CHILD.

When he arrived at the front door of Chambers and Rimes, he was reportedly greeted by the boy, who then allowed him into the house.

“The child opened the door,” Maple said, referring to investigators. “Then they came back [into the home]And they found the bodies.”

“This is heartbreaking,” Maple added.

The Hoover Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

DOCTOR, HIS WIFE SHOT OUTSIDE HIS HOME IN CALIFORNIA; AUTHORITIES MAY BE LINKED TO POSSIBLE SUICIDE

Former Alabama sports reporter Christina Chambers and her husband Johnny Rimes were found dead in their family home in Hoover, Alabama, on Tuesday, December 16, 2025. (WBRC6)

The couple moved to the Hoover neighborhood seven years ago, the neighbor said, adding that they seemed happy in their relationship.

But Maple said “something was wrong” between the couple after their child was born, according to People.

“I was very surprised, but I don’t know why, I wasn’t surprised at all,” Maple said.

On Tuesday night, Chambers’ former WBRC 6 colleagues paid an emotional tribute to their colleague, highlighting both his life and legacy as a journalist and educator.

Reporter Gillian Brooks said, “Christina Chambers had a beautiful natural ability to immediately feel like a friend.” New York Post.

HIS SON IS SUSPECT OF KILLING HIS BELOVED DOCTOR AND HIS WIFE BEFORE CAPTAINING THE VEHICLE AND TAKING HIS LIFE

Former Alabama sports reporter Christina Chambers has reportedly left broadcast journalism to pursue a teaching career. (WBRC6)

“A lot of people at WBRC are shocked that they’re talking about Christina, this bright light, in the past tense,” Brooks added. “But the WBRC family thinks about the impact he will have on their lives forever.”

Chambers reportedly joined the news station in 2015 and became the central figure of its “Sideline” program, which provides prime-time coverage of local sports in the area. During his tenure, he provided live coverage of various sporting events on the field. That included keeping up with the marathons he ran, WBRC 6 reported.

After leaving his full-time position at the station in July 2021 to pursue his teaching career, he continued freelancing for the station’s coverage of the 2025 football season.

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Chambers later began working as a broadcast journalism teacher at Thompson High School and was honored as the 2024 Consultant of the Year by the Alabama Scholastic Press Association, according to WBRC 6.

“He was one of the sweetest, most loving people I have ever known,” WBRC 6 News Anchor Jeh Jeh said of Pruitt. “He was relentless about running, loving his son, and loving life. I’m glad I had the chance to hug him and tell him I loved him at the Super 7 a week ago. I’m so sorry for his family, the Chambers and Thompson Families, and the WBRC Family.”