Divorced for two weeks, Darrell Ward showed up at his ex-wife's parents' home, shot and killed Kayla Peters' parents, Shirley and Junior Peters, then held his ex wife hostage, beat and abused her several hours, shot her several times, and then killed himself.
Kayla Peters survived her wounds and ran for help.
We have learned that he had been in trouble with the law before. Ward was convicted of a 1997 rape in Lowndes County. He served ten years in prison, and was released from Autry Sate Prison in 2007.
He was 5' 5" and weighed 160 pounds when he was in the prison system.
Law enforcement vehicles lined Innis Road for hours and blocked the entrance from traffic Monday. "I was concerned because my sister and brother in law live down the road," said Bonnie Lindsay, who lives just down the road.
When her husband went down to check on his sister, he returned with some shocking news. "He was visibly upset and told me something bad had happened to our neighbors."
Kayla survived and made it to a neighbor's house where they called 911. "His sister told him that she came down to their house early this morning from the crime scene and was knocking on the door calling from for help," said Lindsay.
Neighbors and family members say Shirley and Junior Peters were kind and generous people, with an open door for anyone who was in need of help.
Kayla Peters remains hospitalized at a Macon hospital.
Family members say Shirley's mother is not only dealing with the loss of Shirley but she also lost another daughter to cancer recently.
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Darrell Ward (Source: GA Dept. of Corrections)
Kayla Peters (Source: WALB viewer)
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