ESPN’s Laura Rutledge has been left devastated by the death of a fellow female sports reporter who died in an apparent murder-suicide this week.
Christina Chambers, 38, and her husband Johnny Rimes, 41, were both found unresponsive with gunshot wounds at their home in Hoover, Alabama on Tuesday morning, with a family member making the tragic discovery.
Police are yet to provide any information on who pulled the trigger first, with their deaths being investigated as a murder-suicide. The couple’s three-year-old son escaped unharmed.
Chambers, a former reporter for Fox News‘ Birmingham-based affiliate WBRC6, worked full-time for the station from 2015 until 2021, when she married Rimes.
She transferred to a teaching position that year but continued working as a freelance sideline reporter during the 2025 football season.
After the shocking news of her death broke on Tuesday, a ‘heartbroken’ Rutledge – who has worked for ESPN since 2014 – took to social media to pay tribute to Chambers.
ESPN’s Laura Rutledge has been left devastated by the death of sports reporter Christina Chambers (pictured)
Chambers (right), 38, and her husband Johnny Rimes (left), 41, died in an apparent murder-suicide while their three-year-old Constantine was left unharmed, police said
‘Absolutely awful,’ the 37-year-old wrote on X. ‘She was always so sweet. Heartbroken.’
Chambers first joined WBRC6 in November 2015 and dedicated most of her career to covering sports at collegiate and local high school football games across Alabama and Georgia.
After tying the knot with Rimes, she began a new job as an educator at a local high school advising students on TV and film.
Ex-colleagues at WRBC described Chambers, who was also a devout Christian, as a woman with a strong work ethic who improved the team.
Her former outlet honored the beloved reporter in a statement to ABC 33/40 earlier this week, writing: ‘We are heartbroken to confirm the death of former WBRC reporter Christina Chambers.
‘Christina was a valued member of our newsroom and a beloved colleague whose warmth, humor, and passion for sports left a lasting impact on everyone who worked with her.
A ‘heartbroken’ Rutledge paid tribute to Chambers online, describing her as ‘so sweet’
‘Christina was an accomplished journalist and athlete who brought energy, professionalism, and genuine care to her work. She was especially proud of her ties to UAB [University of Alabama Birmingham], high school sports, and her community.
‘We are praying for Christina’s family, friends, and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time.’
According to his LinkedIn page, Rimes worked as a financial analyst at the American Case Iron Pipe Company for close to 14 years.
The investigation into his and Chambers’ deaths is ongoing.
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