Florence, AL: Woman allegedly slain by estranged husband in front of kids

Posted: Dec 21, 2009 6:34 PM EST
Updated: Dec 22, 2009 12:25 PM EST

Woman allegedly slain by estranged husband in front of kids


FLORENCE, AL (WAFF) – A woman is murdered in her front yard Monday morning. Later, her estranged husband was caught in front of the Lauderdale County Courthouse with his two children in the car.

Police tape surrounded the property near Zip City Monday afternoon. It's an area where neighbors reported an argument between Christopher Rich and his estranged wife, Hollie Newbury, Monday morning.

"I heard three gun shots," said Chelsey Purser, who was staying with her grandmother next door.

Lauderdale County emergency officials responded to the area and found Newbury's body with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

"I don't know who had the kids, but they always met at his grandparent's house and that's when the domestic went bad," said Lauderdale County Sheriff Ronnie Willis.

Willis and the rest of the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department immediately started a countywide man hunt for the suspect. Before leaving, Willis asked another county worker who was familiar with the Zip City area for directions and was shocked by her response.

"I asked and she told me and she said he's downstairs wanting me to get the kids," said Willis.

Rich was sitting in the Lauderdale County Courthouse parking lot less than 100 feet from the sheriff's department. Authorities quickly moved in and found Rich behind the wheel of his wife's car. Blood stains covered one of the rear side panel's of the vehicle.

Rich was arrested and put in the Lauderdale County Detention Center. He had previously taken a protection order out against Newbury in August. She was also arrested in August on a domestic disturbance charge.