On December 14, 2025, a devastating murder-suicide shook central Kentucky. Margie Berry, 77, was discovered lifeless inside her residence on Leslie Drive in Berea shortly after midnight. Officials quickly classified her death as a homicide. The Madison County Coroner verified the case but withheld precise information regarding the nature of her fatal injuries.
Investigators soon identified her son, 51-year-old Kevin Berry, as the prime suspect. Berry had spent decades in law enforcement, serving with agencies such as the McKee Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. His most recent position was captain at the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office, a role he left in 2020 to pursue a different career path.
Law enforcement issued an alert for a vehicle tied to the crime. At approximately 10 a.m. that morning, Williamsburg Police observed the car heading northbound on Interstate 75 in Whitley County. Assistant Chief Brandon White trailed the vehicle as it veered onto the shoulder, crossed into a grassy area, and collided with a rock wall.
Authorities attempted to persuade the driver to surrender peacefully. After assessing the crash site, officers approached the vehicle and found Kevin Berry dead inside. The Whitley County Coroner determined that he had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.
By 1:30 p.m., the Madison County Coroner formally linked the Berea homicide with the Whitley County suicide. The pursuit and subsequent investigation led to the closure of both directions of Interstate 75 for several hours, creating major traffic delays near mile marker 12.5.
Margie Berry’s known personal details remain scarce. She lived at 113 Leslie Drive in Berea, Kentucky, but beyond her age and residence, official reports provide no verified information about her education, family life aside from her son, or personal interests and lifestyle.