ST. JOSEPH TOWNSHIP, Michigan – On New Year’s Eve 2018, Army Sgt. Tyrone Hassel III was tragically shot multiple times while standing near his vehicle in the driveway of his father’s home, where he was spending time with his wife and their nearly 2-year-old son.
As the investigation into his murder unfolded, shocking details emerged. It was discovered that Hassel’s wife, Army Spc. Kemia Hassel, had been hiding a dark secret – she and a secret lover had conspired to plot the murder of her husband.
The shocking details of this case will be explored in an upcoming episode of “20/20,” set to air on Feb. 16, 2019. The show will delve into the investigation that ultimately led to Kemia being sentenced to life in prison. It will feature interviews with key investigators and family members who were devastated by the revelations about Kemia’s involvement in her husband’s murder.
Hassel’s father, Tyrone Hassel Jr., spoke of his son’s decision to join the military during his college years, motivated by a desire to make a better life for himself. The victim met Kemia in the Army while they were stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado, and their relationship quickly turned serious.
After their son was born, Kemia had a seemingly good relationship with the Hassel family. However, the family was left shocked and devastated by the tragic event that unfolded on New Year’s Eve.
As the investigation unfolded, startling details emerged. Investigators learned about Kemia’s relationship with another soldier, Spc. Jeremy Cuellar, and their plans to carry out the murder of Sgt. Hassel. Evidence surfaced, including cell phone records, that indicated Kemia and Cuellar communicated in the hours leading up to the shooting.
In a startling turn of events, Kemia eventually confessed to her involvement in her husband’s murder. She was subsequently arrested on the day of her husband’s funeral and ultimately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Subsequently, Cuellar pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 65 to 90 years in prison.
Ultimately, the Hassel family has been left to grapple with the devastating impact of this tragic event. Sgt. Tyrone Hassel III’s young son, Tyrone Hassel IV, now lives with Kemia’s mother, and the family remains determined to ensure that he knows the truth about his father’s love for him.