Riverside Homicide
February 23 - March 1, 2026
Founded in 2021 by siblings Jeremy and Kelly, "Riverside
Homicide," is a true crime podcast rooted in Memphis, Tennessee. With Jeremy's expertise in genetic genealogy and private investigation, and Kelly's background in journalism, the duo avoids sensationalism, focusing instead on humanizing victims, emphasizing who they were in life. Most episodes spotlight crimes that occurred in the southern United States.
A rural community in northeastern Mississippi was shaken when law enforcement confirmed the death of local businessman and family man Kirby Carpenter, whose body was discovered under unusual and troubling circumstances on Dec. 2, 2022. Deputies with the Tippah County Sheriff’s Office responded to a rural area property on County Road 600 after receiving a report that Carpenter had not been seen and was unresponsive at his residence. Upon arrival, officers found Carpenter’s body outside the home he shared with his girlfriend, Caitlin Spence, suffering from a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators determined that Carpenter had been killed by a shotgun blast, suffering fatal wounds to his neck and chest. Crime scene teams documented that his body had been partially covered with a curtain and a toolbox was left atop his remains, creating immediate questions about the motive and those responsible.
Carpenter, 36 at the time of his death, was known locally as a proprietor in the precious metals business — owning and operating Mississippi Gold, Silver and Coin Exchange — and was well-known to friends and neighbors in Tippah County. Early in the investigation, authorities ruled out a simple accidental shooting. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation (MBI) assisted local law enforcement, treating the case as a homicide and asking anyone with information to come forward. Despite initial community hopes for early answers, no arrests were made in the weeks following the murder, prompting detectives to continue pursuing leads.
In late November 2023—nearly a year after Carpenter’s body was discovered—the investigation advanced significantly when federal and state officers arrested three suspects tied to the killing. U.S. Marshals located and arrested his girlfriend’s parents, Jeffrey Dean Spence and Karen Elizabeth Spence, in Virginia, while Caitlin Spence herself was taken into custody in Pennsylvania. All three were later extradited to Mississippi to face charges that included capital murder, grand larceny, and conspiracy.
At the time of their arrest, investigators alleged that Carpenter’s death occurred after a robbery involving items of significant value to him — particularly cash, silver and gold coins — that were later found in some of the suspects’ possession. Authorities also said that security systems at Carpenter’s property had been disabled prior to his death. In April 2025, Caitlin Spence, Carpenter’s girlfriend and mother of his youngest child, entered a plea agreement, pleading guilty to accessory after the fact to murder in exchange for her testimony against her parents. She was released on a $10,000 bond and placed under electronic monitoring, with additional conditions including travel restrictions and post-release supervision.
Shortly before jury selection in the trial of her husband, Karen Spence also took a plea deal, pleading guilty to accessory to grand larceny after the fact. She received a 10-year sentence, which according to reports was largely suspended, though she remains under court supervision.
The trial of Jeffrey Spence, charged with capital murder in Carpenter’s death, began in Pontotoc County in September 2025 after a change of venue from Tippah County. Prosecutors argued that Spence conspired with his daughter and wife to rob and kill Carpenter around Nov. 30, 2022, roughly two days before Carpenter’s body was found. During the four-day trial, evidence presented by the State included testimony about physical items recovered from the Spence household — including coins and cash that had belonged to Carpenter, reportedly stored in a safe deposit box — as well as cellphone and digital forensics linking the suspects to the crime. Caitlin Spence testified about statements made by her father after the killing and the sequence of events leading to discovery of Carpenter’s body. However, on Sept. 29, 2025, the jury reported it was deadlocked 6–6 and unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the capital murder charge, prompting Judge Kelly Luther to declare a mistrial. Spence remains in custody as prosecutors prepare for a new trial expected in 2026.
Carpenter’s death sent ripples through the community of Tippah County and beyond. Those who knew him have described him as a devoted father and a respected member of the local small-business community — someone whose life and career were built around supporting his family and building a reputable business. The circumstances of his killing, involving people once close to him, have added layers of tragedy to an already devastating loss. As the criminal justice process continues, Carpenter’s family and community members have expressed a desire for a full accounting of events, justice for his death, and answers about how and why this violent crime unfolded in their quiet corner of Mississippi.
For readers who want a deeper look into the investigation, the individuals involved, and the ongoing trial developments in the death of Carpenter, be sure to listen to the true-crime podcast Riverside Homicide available on all major platforms, which offers additional details connected to this complex and heartbreaking case.
