Kirby Carpenter’s Girlfriend Discovered His Dead Body in 2022. Then, She Helped Convict Her Own Father of His Murder

**Tragic Case of Kirby Carpenter: Girlfriend’s Father Found Guilty of Murder**

In November 2022, the life of Kirby Carpenter, a 36-year-old businessman from Tippah County, Mississippi, was tragically cut short when he was fatally shot outside his home. The circumstances surrounding his death led to a protracted investigation that ultimately implicated his girlfriend’s father, Jeffrey Spence, who would later be convicted of first-degree murder.

Carpenter was last seen alive on November 30, 2022, shortly after returning from a grocery run. Investigators believe he was shot around 7 p.m. that evening with a shotgun, suffering fatal wounds to his chest and neck. Following the incident, his body was concealed near a storage area on his property, buried under a toolbox and covered with a curtain. Two days later, his girlfriend, Caitlin Spence, discovered his lifeless form and called emergency services. Upon arrival, authorities noted several concerning details, such as drag marks leading away from a blood pool and Carpenter’s locked truck filled with groceries as well as missing valuables.

During the probing into Carpenter’s death, attention swiftly turned towards Caitlin and her parents, Jeffrey and Karen Spence. In November 2023, nearly a year after the shooting, all three were arrested. Authorities alleged that Jeffrey Spence had murdered Carpenter in a robbery gone wrong, while Caitlin and Karen were accused of assisting in the aftermath of the crime. Prosecutors cited a possible motive rooted in greed, given Carpenter’s reputation for carrying significant amounts of cash and valuables.

Following a mistrial in September 2025, Jeffrey Spence was retried and subsequently found guilty of first-degree murder in March 2026. He received a life sentence for his role in Carpenter’s death. Meanwhile, Caitlin and her mother, Karen, chose to enter plea agreements that resulted in lesser charges and avoided additional prison time.

The foundation of the investigation shifted when David Barnes, a former employee of Carpenter’s, was arrested on unrelated charges in November 2023. During his questioning, Barnes revealed that Caitlin had disclosed details about the murder, claiming that “things got out of hand” and that her father was responsible. This revelation shifted the course of the investigation.

While Caitlin initially faced serious charges, she later pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder as part of a plea deal, which included testifying against Jeffrey during his trial. She recounted her father’s return to Mississippi on the day of the murder, contradicting his previous claims of being elsewhere. During his trial, it was revealed that Jeffrey had expressed disdain for Carpenter, even suggesting violent intentions towards him.

Karen Spence also faced charges but ultimately entered an Alford plea related to accessory after the fact to grand larceny. This allowed her to avoid admitting guilt while acknowledging the prosecution possessed substantial evidence against her. Both Caitlin and Karen received suspended sentences rather than prison time.

Throughout the court proceedings, tension ran high as the trial presented conflicting narratives between family members. Jeffrey’s defence sought to undermine Caitlin’s testimony and portrayed Carpenter as an abusive drug dealer. In contrast, witnesses testified about Jeffrey’s repeated expressions of wanting Carpenter gone.

As the case garnered media attention and was featured in a recent episode of *Dateline*, “The Betrayal of Kirby Carpenter,” it served as a grim reminder of the tragic events that transpired. It raised questions regarding familial loyalty and the extent of betrayal present in what appeared to be a close-knit family.

Ultimately, the conviction of Jeffrey Spence marked a significant moment in an investigation that unfolded over nearly two years. With each family member facing different outcomes, it underscores the complexities and devastating impacts of crime, leaving a community grappling with the loss of Carpenter, who was not only a businessman but a father and partner.