Wife held in husband’s death

BARTON -- A Colbert County woman is in custody and is expected to be charged in the shooting death of her husband.

Debbie Kimbrough, 48, 2735 Red Rock Road, Cherokee, was in Tuscumbia City Jail, which houses female inmates for Colbert County, said Colbert County Sheriff Ronnie May. Her husband, 63-year-old Howard “Sonny” Kimbrough, was found dead inside the couple’s home Wednesday morning. The residence is in the Barton community just southwest of Colbert Steam Plant.

May said Kimbrough is in custody but had not been charged Wednesday.

“We’ve got some more people we want to talk with and then we will meet with the district attorney about charges,” the sheriff said.

May said his office was called just before 7:30 a.m. by a member of the Kimbrough family who reported that Debbie Kimbrough had shot her husband during the night.

“She said she had shot Sonny (and) was and threatening to harm herself,” the sheriff said.

He said deputies were sent to the residence where they found Sonny Kimbrough in bed in an upstairs bedroom.

Investigators said it appeared he had been dead for some time.

“Probably, he was shot during the night while he was asleep,” May said.

Authorities said the victim was lying on his side and had been shot once in the back. May said it appeared Kimbrough was shot with a large caliber handgun. He was pronounced dead at the scene by Colbert County Coroner Carlton Utley at 10:51 p.m. Utley said the body has been sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Science Montgomery office for an autopsy.

After finding Sonny Kimbrough’s body, May said deputies located Debbie Kimbrough outside the residence hiding underneath a pier near an old pond. The prier extended from a covered porch near the dried up pond, which was about 150 feet behind the couple’s house. Yellow crime scene tape surrounded the couple’s house as well as the pond area.

Investigators said Debbie Kimbrough still had a weapon in her possession when she was approached by deputies.

May said Debbie Kimbrough was taken into custody after a taser was used by one of the deputies. He said she was checked by a doctor for any injuries after she was taken into custody.

Officials said Debbie Kimbrough is under constant surveillance at the jail as a precaution.

May said investigators have yet to determine a motive for the shooting.

“That’s something that our investigators are still trying to find out. We hope as we continue to talk with people that we’ll know more,” May said.

Florence attorney Tim Case is representing Debbie Kimbrough. He said he had talked with his client and anticipated a charge to be issued today.

“We will take a look at the case very closely and base our defense on the findings of our investigation and provide her with the best defense possible,” Case said.

May said he has known the Kimbroughs for a long time.

“They were a loving, caring couple and had a very close family,” May said. “That’s why this community is shocked.”

As proof of their relationship, a wooden plaque hung over the entrance to the porch engraved with the word “Sonny,” followed by the image of two hearts, then the words “Debbie Kimbrough, 1992.” Family friends said that was the year the couple was married.

The Kimbroughs owned Party World in Muscle Shoals.

“(Sonny) was always very supportive of the city,” said Muscle Shoals Mayor David Bradford. “The entire family participated in the city’s music festival, providing a variety of games and activities for adults and children.

“They were even in the (city) Christmas Parade last (Friday). They had a float in the parade. This was a shock.”

Throughout the morning, as news of the incident spread, many family members and friends came to the residence, trying to learn what happened and to provide support for each other.

May said Kimbrough, who ran for a county school board seat years ago, was well thought of in the community.

“He loved life. For years, he would put Christmas lights all over the yard and dress up like Santa Claus and pass out presents, that he bought with his own money, to all the children,” May said. “I’ve seen children lined up all up and down the yard and on the street waiting to get to him.

“They always seemed happy together; that’s why this is so hard to understand.”

Tom Smith can be reached at 740-5757 or tom.smith@timesdaily.com.