A Coach in Georgia hands himself over to police after killing his girlfriend

Published

1 year ago

February 20, 2024

Georgia high school football coach is under arrest in Maryland after walking into a police station and confessing to strangling his girlfriend to death.

The Prince George’s County Police Department said 43-year-old Carl Kearney Jr. walked into one of their stations on Saturday morning, Feb. 17, and “advised officers he strangled his girlfriend inside of her Accokeek (Maryland) home earlier that morning.”

The police department said officers responded to the home to conduct a welfare check and found girlfriend Patrina Best, 38, unresponsive. Officials pronounced her dead at the scene.

The home where the murder happened belongs to Best’s parents. Best attended Georgia Southern University and worked as a traveling nurse.

Best’s family remembered her as a “fun-loving, warm-hearted person [who] made friends easily everywhere she went.”

They said as the daughter of a U.S. Navy chief petty officer, Best lived all over the world before graduating high school in Georgia and then getting her nursing degree

“Patrina was a constant source of joy and laughter in our lives. She was guaranteed to be present for every birthday, holiday, and special occasion,” the Best family said in a statement to News4. “She was a wonderful person in every regard. She was the light of our lives, and we will miss her dearly for the rest of our days.”

Best leaves behind her parents, her “best friend” and older sister Gianina Best, her brother-in-law, and a niece and nephew “who consider her the greatest ‘Tita’ in the entire world. She also leaves behind her beloved dog, Luke, who traveled with her to every location she worked as a travel nurse,” her family said.

Kearny allegedly told detectives he strangled Best during an argument.

“During an interview with Homicide Unit detectives, Kearney confessed to strangling the victim during an argument,” a Prince George’s County Police Department release stated.

Kearney now faces both first and second-degree murder charges.

Parents and students from Spalding County High School in Griffin identified Kearney as the school’s varsity football coach.

“At first, I didn’t believe it,” said Camri Johnson, who was a football manager for three years at Spalding County High. “I thought people were playing because it was such a shocker for me.”

She said the news that her former teacher and football coach was arrested and charged with murder doesn’t make sense, “because of the person I know he is.”

“I couldn’t see him in that situation,” Johnson added.

Lariquia McCord said her son played football for Kearney at Spalding County High for three years, and was like a father figure to his players.

“It hurt,” McCord said. “It hit like a ton of bricks, like … I’m still in shock.”

While she said she was shocked this happened, she said she was not surprised that he confessed.

“He’s just been a stand-up guy, and even with this situation, I still see him as a stand-up guy for turning himself in. He’s showing them accountability and being responsible for your actions,” McCord said.

Abia Government Confirms Herdsmen Attack In Umunneochi, Many Killed

Published

6 hours ago

June 18, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

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‎The Abia State government has confirmed an attack by armed herdsmen in the Umunneochi local government area, resulting in several fatalities.
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‎The state Commissioner for Information, Okey Kanu, who was silent on the casualty figures, disclosed this while addressing journalists at the Government House in Umuahia.
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‎”There have been some security breaches in the Umunneochi area of the state, leading to some fatalities,”
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‎ Kanu said that the state security agencies had been put on full alert to address the security issue.
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Benue crisis barbaric, unacceptable — Deputy Speaker

Published

6 hours ago

June 18, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has condemned the brutal killings in Yelewata and Daudu communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, describing the attacks as barbaric, disturbing, and utterly unacceptable.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, Kalu expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and extended his condolences to the affected families and the government of Benue State. He called on security agencies to collaborate and take decisive action to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for the heinous crimes.

“I join Mr. President in calling on the security agencies to act swiftly and decisively. The recent incident in Yelewata, Benue State, is not only disturbing but deeply disheartening.

“The barbaric killing of members of the community is utterly unacceptable. I strongly condemn this wicked act carried out by unidentified individuals,” Kalu said.

He assured that the National Assembly would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability in the region. According to him, legislative intervention is critical in addressing the structural gaps in Nigeria’s security framework.

As part of that commitment, Kalu disclosed that the House Committee on Constitution Review had on Monday convened a dialogue on the country’s national security architecture.

He expressed optimism that the ongoing constitutional review process, particularly in relation to security and policing reforms, would enhance inter-agency cooperation, improve intelligence sharing, strengthen border security, and foster regional coordination for a unified national response to insecurity.

Kalu also prayed for the peaceful repose of the victims’ souls and urged all stakeholders to remain committed to addressing the root causes of the violence to prevent future tragedies.

Niger Flood: Over 700 still Missing, 207 confirmed dead — Gov Bago

Published

6 hours ago

June 18, 2025

Ekwutos Blog

More than 700 people are still missing after a recent flood swept through Mokwa community in Mokwa Local Government Area of Niger State, according to Governor Umaru Bago.

The governor made this known on Tuesday during a condolence visit by Maj. Hamza Al-Mustapha, former chief security officer to the late Gen. Sani Abacha, and his delegation in Minna, the state capital.

Governor Bago, who was represented by his deputy, Yakubu Garba, said the disaster had claimed many lives and left several families in pain.

“So far, 207 people have been confirmed dead and over 700 persons are still missing. We are yet to know where they are. The flooding has caused extensive damage to lives and property,” he said.

He added that more than 3,000 households were displaced by the flood, while about 400 houses were affected. Out of these, 283 homes and 50 shops were completely destroyed.

Governor Bago described the incident as a national tragedy and thanked individuals and organisations that had sent donations or supported victims.

He also said the state government was working with professional organisations to investigate the cause of the flood and was awaiting their assessment reports.

Maj. Al-Mustapha, who led the visiting delegation, said they were in the state to sympathise with the government and people of Niger State, especially those affected in Mokwa.