Hoover, Alabama — The community is grappling with the tragic shooting death of Christina Chambers, a well-respected veteran broadcaster, in what authorities believe to be a murder-suicide incident at her home. The 38-year-old Chambers was found dead alongside her husband, 41-year-old Johnny Rimes Jr., while their 3-year-old son, Constantine, was discovered unharmed.
Reports indicate that Rimes shot Chambers before taking his own life shortly after 9 a.m. on Tuesday. Police were alerted to the scene by Rimes’ parents after the family missed a scheduled Christmas program at their local church, a gathering that Chambers was known to attend regularly. The gunfire is believed to have occurred between 6:15 a.m. and the time of the police call, with both individuals pronounced dead on-site shortly after their discovery.
Chambers, an enthusiastic runner and former collegiate athlete at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), returned home from a morning run shortly before the incident. Colleagues and friends from the broadcasting industry expressed their shock and sorrow over her death, highlighting the deep impact she had on those around her.
ESPN reporter Lauren Sisler took to social media to mourn Chambers, calling her “a dear friend” and noting that her presence always brightened the room. Other friends remembered Chambers not only for her professional achievements but also for her warmth and kindness. Simone Eli, a sports anchor who worked in Alabama, emphasized that Chambers’ legacy extends far beyond her on-screen career. “Her love for others was palpable. She truly touched many lives,” she wrote.
At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama, where Chambers was employed at the time of her death, colleagues described her as a source of positivity and joy. Communications Director Sophie Martin issued a statement conveying the company’s sorrow over the loss. “She was a cherished colleague whose loving personality touched everyone she worked with,” Martin noted.
Chambers joined WBRC Fox 6 in 2015 and built a successful career covering sports, becoming a familiar face in Alabama high schools and beyond. Her background included experience as a sports reporter and anchor at other prominent stations, where she gained recognition for her professionalism and dedication to her craft.
In addition to her broadcasting achievements, Chambers and Rimes married in 2021 and made an impact in education as TV and film advisors at Thompson High School. Recently, she was honored as the Alabama Scholastic Press Association’s Advisor of the Year.
News of her death spread across social media, eliciting heartfelt responses from those who knew her. John Talty from CBS Sports expressed disbelief and heartbreak over the tragedy. Similarly, Johnny “Ironman” Montgomery shared his grief, connecting Chambers’ loss to his own experience of grief from losing his daughter several years earlier.
As the community comes together to mourn Chambers, tributes continue to flood in, highlighting her as an exemplary human being—a friend, mother, and professional whose spirit will be remembered.