Authorities say a former police captain killed his 77-year-old mother in Berea early Sunday morning before taking his own life during a traffic stop along Interstate 75, leaving a quiet Madison County neighborhood stunned. Officials identified the suspect as 51-year-old Kevin Berry. According to investigators, Berry killed his mother, Margie Berry, at her home on Leslie Drive just after midnight.
Following the homicide, law enforcement agencies launched a manhunt as Berry fled the area. The search ended in Whitley County when a Williamsburg police officer located Berry’s vehicle on I-75. Officers initiated a traffic stop and attempted to speak with him. During the encounter, authorities say Berry died by suicide at the scene. Neighbors in Berea described disbelief and heartbreak as news of the incident spread through the community.
Arritta Morris, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1971, said she knew Margie Berry and had spoken with her many times over the years. “I don’t know why, I don’t know why, we’ll never know,” Morris said, struggling to make sense of what happened. She described the area as peaceful and said violence of this kind was unheard of there. “I did not believe it,” Morris said. “This was a shock. This is a quiet neighborhood, according to the Daily Metro News.
This is the first time this has ever happened.” Residents said Margie Berry was known as a kind and gentle presence in the neighborhood. Morris remembered her as calm, friendly, and always pleasant to talk to, making the circumstances of her death even harder for neighbors to process.
Kevin Berry had an extensive background in law enforcement. Authorities confirmed he worked for several departments during his career. Most recently, he served as a captain with the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office. He had also previously worked with the McKee Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
Following confirmation of the events, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office issued a statement on social media acknowledging Berry’s former service and offering condolences to those affected by the tragedy. The department did not provide additional details about Berry’s time in law enforcement.
Madison County Coroner Jimmy Cornelison confirmed the homicide and said the investigation remains ongoing. He noted that his office is still awaiting further information from the medical examiner before releasing additional findings. Law enforcement officials have not disclosed a possible motive for the killing, and no further details have been released about what may have led up to the incident inside the Leslie Drive home.
Authorities emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public. As investigators continue to piece together the events of Sunday morning, the Berea community is left mourning the loss of a longtime resident and grappling with a tragedy that has deeply shaken a neighborhood unaccustomed to violence.
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