The close-knit newsroom at a Fox News affiliate in Birmingham, Alabama, has been left shattered after the death of a cherished former colleague in a tragic incident being investigated as a murder-suicide.
A Devastating Discovery in Hoover
Christina Chambers and her husband, Johnny Rimes, were found unresponsive at their home in Hoover, Alabama, on Tuesday morning. A family member made the heartbreaking discovery. Hoover Police confirmed the couple died from gunshot wounds and are investigating the case as a murder-suicide, though they have not disclosed who is believed to have fired the first shot.
In a detail that has compounded the tragedy, the couple's three-year-old son, Constantine, was present in the home at the time. Authorities have confirmed the young boy was not physically harmed.
Heartfelt On-Air Tributes from a Grieving Newsroom
Chambers' former colleagues at WBRC6, the Birmingham-based Fox News affiliate, broadcast an emotional tribute to her life and legacy on Tuesday evening. The segment painted a picture of a talented and deeply loved journalist whose absence has created a profound void.
Reporter Gillian Brooks remembered Chambers for her instantly warm and friendly nature. "Christina Chambers had a beautiful ability to naturally feel like a friend immediately," Brooks said. She added that many at the station were in shock, struggling to speak about their vibrant colleague in the past tense.
Sports anchor Rick Karle, who worked alongside Chambers, emphasised her positive impact. "She made the sideline better, she made this TV station better, and she made everyone in the newsroom better," he stated.
A Career Defined by Passion and Community
Christina Chambers was a dedicated sports reporter who spent the majority of her career covering collegiate and local high school football across Alabama and Georgia. A devout Christian, she worked full-time for WBRC from 2015 until her marriage to Rimes in 2021.
Following her wedding, she transitioned to a teaching role at a local high school, advising students on television and film production. However, her passion for sports journalism remained, and she continued to work as a freelance sideline reporter during the 2025 football season.
Her former colleague, sports anchor Jeh Jeh Pruitt, shared a poignant final memory. He revealed he had run into Chambers just a week before her death. "I'm grateful I got to hug her and tell her I loved her one final time," Pruitt said, urging others to mirror her boundless enthusiasm for her work.
Producer Brian Pope recalled her consistently positive "best disposition," a trait evident in the outpouring of love from all who knew her.
In an official statement, WBRC remembered Chambers as "a valued member of our newsroom and a beloved colleague whose warmth, humor, and passion for sports left a lasting impact." The station highlighted her particular pride in her connections to the University of Alabama Birmingham and high school sports communities.
Johnny Rimes, her husband, was a financial analyst at the American Cast Iron Pipe Company for nearly 14 years, according to his LinkedIn profile. The investigation into their deaths remains ongoing, with Hoover Police providing no further details at this time.
