Hoover, Alabama — A former sports reporter and her husband were tragically found deceased in their home under circumstances that police are investigating as a murder-suicide, officials said. The bodies of Christina Chambers, 38, and Johnny Rimes Jr., 41, were discovered on December 16 in the couple’s residence located in the 700 block of Highland Manor Court.
A relative, concerned after the pair missed a scheduled event, visited the house to perform a welfare check and found both Chambers and Rimes unresponsive. Authorities were alerted and pronounced them dead shortly after arriving on the scene. The couple’s young son, age three, was found safe within the home.
According to the Jefferson County Coroner/Medical Examiner’s Office, preliminary investigations suggest that the incident occurred in the early hours of the morning. Their investigation, in collaboration with Hoover Police detectives, is primarily focused on unraveling the sequence that led to the shooting.
Chambers, known for her vibrant presence in the local sports broadcasting scene, was an acclaimed former athlete and University of Alabama at Birmingham graduate. She continued her passion for sports as a reporter with WBRC Fox 6 News starting in November 2015 until stepping down from her full-time role in 2021. Despite her career shift, Chambers remained connected to sports journalism as a freelance reporter covering high school football.
In addition to her journalism career, in 2021, Chambers began teaching broadcast journalism at Thompson High School, where she was celebrated for her influential role in shaping young minds. Her dedication to education earned her the title of Alabama Scholastic Press Association Advisor of the Year in 2024, an honor bestowed upon her by the very students she mentored.
Her husband, Rimes, had been employed as an analyst at AMERICAN Cast Iron Pipe Company, though he left the company in October 2022.
Colleagues and students alike remember Chambers for her enthusiastic and compassionate nature, often highlighting how she enhanced each broadcast with her insightful commentary. Her death has profoundly impacted the local media community and her former students, leaving a legacy of mentorship and passion for journalism.
The loss has resonated deeply within Alabama’s sports journalism community as well. Tributes have poured in acknowledging her significant contributions to sports media, particularly noting her unique ability to elevate the quality of broadcast sports events.
As investigations continue, authorities are piecing together the events that precipitated this tragic murder-suicide in an otherwise peaceful community. Meanwhile, friends, family, and colleagues are left to mourn and honor the memories of a life marked by professional achievement and personal warmth.