The family of 68-year-old Jeri Matthews is publicly sharing their grief and anger after she was shot and killed inside her Lebanon apartment on June 20. Her husband was arrested at the scene and charged with criminal homicide, and relatives say that by speaking out, they hope others will spot warning signs of abuse and find a way to leave before it is too late.
Lebanon police say officers were called to a possible shooting at the Hartmann Plantation Apartments, where they found a woman with at least one gunshot wound. At the scene, officers arrested 57-year-old Jerry Matthews and charged him with criminal homicide. The Lebanon Police Department called it an "isolated domestic incident" and said the case is still under active investigation, as reported by WSMV.
Family Speaks Out
Jeri’s children say their worries about her marriage had been growing for some time. They told reporters they even called Lebanon police the day before the shooting because they feared for her safety.
Her daughter Emily Tucker says that during a phone call after the killing, Matthews admitted what happened, telling her, "I don't know. I guess I just lost my mind." Another relative told family members that he said, "yeah, I killed Jeri," according to NewsChannel 5.
Police Response And Investigation
The family says they have been frustrated by what they describe as limited communication from investigators and are raising questions about how the crime scene was handled. In a statement to WSMV, the Lebanon Police Department said, "Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones affected by this tragedy. This remains an active and ongoing investigation. No additional information is available for release at this time."
Charges And Booking
Police arrested 57-year-old Jerry Matthews, charged him with criminal homicide and booked him into the Wilson County Jail. Local booking records show he was being held on a $1 million bond, according to The Tennessean (via AOL).
A Family's Plea
Relatives say they want Jeri remembered for her warmth, not just the way she died. She doted on her pets, fussed over her plants and, as one family member put it, treated everyone like a friend. They hope that by sharing her story, someone else in a dangerous relationship might recognize the signs and reach out for help.
The family has created a GoFundMe to help with expenses, NewsChannel 5 reported, and they say they intend to keep pressing for answers as the investigation moves forward.
Investigators have not released any additional details, and the Lebanon Police Department has asked anyone with information about the case to contact them. Jeri’s family says they will continue to demand answers while working to keep her memory at the center of the story.
