In a quiet subdivision just outside the limits of Colbert, Georgia, a heartbreaking incident has shaken the community, leaving family, friends, and neighbors grappling with an immense sense of loss. The deaths of Ricky Kelley, 48, and his wife, April Kelley, 45, are now the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Described on Monday as an apparent murder-suicide, the couple’s tragic deaths have triggered widespread shock and sorrow, sparking a wave of grief within their community, particularly at the schools where April worked.
The investigation began after deputies were called to the Kelley home by concerned family members on Sunday afternoon. Located in the serene neighborhood of Brittany Point, just west of the city limits and north of Georgia Highway 78, the scene they encountered was one of unimaginable sorrow. Two bodies lay on the floor of the home—April Kelley, who had sustained a gunshot wound to the head, and her husband, Ricky Kelley, also suffering from a fatal head wound, with a Ruger P96 firearm found beneath his body. According to initial police reports, all evidence points to a devastating murder-suicide. Investigators believe that Ricky Kelley took his wife’s life before turning the gun on himself.
Discovery and Immediate Aftermath
It was just after noon when deputies responded to a 911 call made by family members who had become deeply alarmed by a troubling Facebook video Ricky Kelley had posted earlier in the day. This video, though its contents have not been made public, evidently raised serious concerns about Ricky’s state of mind and intentions. When family members arrived at the house, they found all doors locked, and after forcing one open, they discovered the horrific scene inside. Two lifeless bodies in the living room, the silence in the home shattered by the tragic reality that unfolded before them.
The sheriff’s office immediately launched an investigation into the deaths. Autopsies were ordered, and a forensics unit from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was dispatched to process the crime scene. Sheriff’s Capt. Jimmy Patton stated that all indications so far point to this being a murder-suicide, though further details will come to light as investigators piece together the final moments of Ricky and April Kelley’s lives.
A Troubled Relationship and Legal Proceedings
As the investigation deepens, details are emerging about the troubled history between Ricky and April Kelley. The couple had reportedly separated before the fatal incident, with tensions between them running high in the preceding weeks. According to the sheriff’s report, a temporary protection order (TPO) had been served to Ricky Kelley just two weeks earlier. April Kelley had sought legal protection from her husband, and at the time, she told the serving deputy that she intended to stay with her family to escape the escalating turmoil. Despite this legal intervention, the tragedy that transpired on October 6 suggests that whatever conflicts were brewing between the two had not been fully resolved.
The couple’s grievances were scheduled to be heard in court later in October, with a hearing set for October 21. It is unclear whether any new developments in their relationship had occurred in the days leading up to their deaths or what might have driven Ricky Kelley to commit such an irrevocable act of violence. Investigators are still working to establish a clear timeline of when each arrived at the house on Brittany Point and what exactly unfolded in their final hours.
The Last Day of April Kelley’s Life
For April Kelley, October 6 had begun like any other day, with no outward sign of the tragedy that would soon befall her. As a beloved member of the local school district, she was well known and highly regarded in the community. April was in her 17th year working with the Clarke County School District, where she served as a special education paraprofessional at Fowler Drive Elementary School. In addition to her work with students with special needs, she was also the coordinator for the school’s After-School Program, a role that saw her interacting with countless students and their families on a daily basis.
Her dedication to her work, her compassion for her students, and her commitment to helping children thrive had earned her the admiration of both colleagues and parents alike. April had also previously worked at Barnett Shoals Elementary and Howard B. Stroud Elementary, contributing to the education and development of children across multiple schools. Her absence will leave a significant void in the hearts of the many lives she touched throughout her career.
The news of her death has deeply affected the local school community. Counselors have been made available at Fowler Drive Elementary and the other schools where April had worked, offering support to students, staff, and families as they try to process the loss of a cherished educator and friend. Grief-stricken colleagues remember April as a warm and loving person who was passionate about her work, someone who always put the needs of others before her own.
Ricky Kelley’s Background and Final Acts
Ricky Kelley, too, was a familiar face in Colbert, though his final days were marked by increasing turmoil. Neighbors described him as a quiet man, but one who had become more withdrawn in recent weeks. His decision to post a video on Facebook shortly before the deaths suggests that there may have been signs of distress that family members had only begun to grasp in hindsight.
While investigators have not disclosed the full contents of the Facebook post, it is now a critical piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation. Family members, upon seeing the video, were immediately alarmed and raced to the Kelley residence in the hope of preventing a tragedy. Unfortunately, they arrived too late.
Ricky’s decision to take his wife’s life before ending his own has left friends and family grappling with a wave of emotions—shock, anger, sorrow, and disbelief. Many who knew him struggle to understand what might have driven him to such a dark place, while others are left wondering if anything could have been done to prevent this tragedy. As investigators continue to gather evidence, they are also focusing on Ricky’s state of mind in the days and hours leading up to the incident, including whether he had reached out for help or expressed any intentions of harm to those closest to him.
The Impact on the Community
The loss of both Ricky and April Kelley has sent ripples of grief through the entire Colbert community. Neighbors, friends, and colleagues are all mourning the deaths of two people whose lives were intertwined with the fabric of their town. Brittany Point, typically a quiet and peaceful subdivision, now stands as the backdrop to a tragedy that has left many questioning how something like this could happen so close to home.
The Clarke County School District, where April had worked for nearly two decades, is offering additional support services for students and staff who are struggling with the news. Fowler Drive Elementary, in particular, has been deeply affected, as both teachers and students come to terms with the sudden loss of someone who had been a constant presence in their lives. For many of April’s students, especially those in the special education program, her death represents not just the loss of a teacher but the loss of a trusted mentor and friend.
The tragedy has also prompted discussions about the importance of mental health support and domestic violence prevention. Many in the community are left wondering whether there were warning signs that were missed or if more could have been done to intervene before the situation escalated to this point.
Continuing Investigation
As the Madison County Sheriff’s Office continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths of Ricky and April Kelley, they are working closely with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to ensure that every aspect of the case is thoroughly examined. Forensic evidence from the scene is being analyzed, and investigators are reviewing the timeline of events leading up to the fatal encounter. They are also looking into Ricky Kelley’s past, including his interactions with law enforcement in the weeks leading up to the incident, to determine if there were any additional red flags that may have been overlooked.
In the meantime, the community of Colbert remains in mourning, struggling to come to terms with a tragedy that has claimed the lives of two people and left countless others grieving in its wake. The deaths of Ricky and April Kelley serve as a somber reminder of the complexities of human relationships and the devastating consequences that can arise when conflicts are left unresolved.
