In a heartbreaking turn of events in Alabama, a 3-year-old child unwittingly became the key to uncovering a tragic family incident. The young boy led his grandfather into the family home, where they discovered the lifeless bodies of a well-known sports reporter and her husband.

Christina Chambers, a former sports reporter for WBRC 6, and her husband, Johnny Rimes, were found deceased in their Hoover residence on a Tuesday morning. Authorities from the Hoover Police Department are treating the case as a murder-suicide.

Thankfully, the couple’s young son, who was present at the time of the incident, escaped physical harm, as confirmed by police.

The tragic discovery unfolded when Rimes’ father arrived at their home shortly after 9 a.m. after the couple failed to attend a planned church event. This account was shared by neighbor Charles Maple in an interview with People.

Christina Chambers, a respected figure in sports journalism, leaves behind her 3-year-old son, who was found safe amidst the devastation. The family tragedy has left the community in shock, as they mourn the loss of two respected individuals.

When he arrived at Chambers and Rimes’ front door, he was reportedly greeted by the boy who subsequently let him into the home. 

“The child answered the door,” Maple told the outlet, citing investigators. “And then they went back [into the home], and they found the bodies.”

“It is heartbreaking,” Maple added.

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

Former Alabama sports reporter Christina Chambers and her husband, Johnny Rimes, were found dead inside their family home in Hoover, Alabama on Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025. (WBRC 6)

The couple moved to the Hoover-area neighborhood seven years ago, according to the neighbor, who also reportedly added that they seemed happy in their relationship. 

However, after their child was born, Maple said that “something wasn’t right” between the couple, according to People. 

“I was so shocked, but for some reason, I don’t know why, I wasn’t totally surprised,” Maple reportedly said. 

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

“Christina Chambers had a beautiful ability to naturally feel like a friend immediately,” reporter Gillian Brooks said, according to the New York Post. 

Former Alabama sports reporter Christina Chambers reportedly left broadcast journalism to pursue a career in teaching. (WBRC 6)

“Many at WBRC are in shock that they are talking about Christina, this bright light, in the past tense,” Brooks added. “However, the WBRC family is reflecting on the impact she will have on their lives forever.”

Chambers reportedly joined the news station in 2015 and became a central figure on its “Sideline” program, which provides primetime coverage of local sports in the area. Throughout her tenure, she provided live coverage of various sporting events from the field. That included anchoring the very marathons she was running, WBRC 6 reported. 

After leaving her full-time role at the station to pursue a teaching career in July 2021, she continued to freelance for the station’s coverage of the 2025 football season.

Chambers later went on to work as a broadcast journalism teacher at Thompson High School, where she was honored as the 2024 Advisor of the Year by the Alabama Scholastic Press Association, according to WBRC 6. 

“She was one of the sweetest, most loving people that I know,” WBRC 6 News Anchor, Jeh Jeh Pruitt reportedly said. “She was relentless with running, loving her son, and loving life. I am glad I got a chance to hug and tell her I love her a week ago at the Super 7. I am so sorry for her family, the Chambers and Thompson Families, and her WBRC Family.”