Hoover Police are investigating an apparent murder-suicide after former WBRC sports reporter Christina Chambers and her husband, Johnny Rimes, were found dead from gunshot wounds in their home on Tuesday morning. A 3-year-old child, believed to be their son, was discovered unharmed inside the residence.
Authorities responded to a 911 call around 9 a.m. in the 700 block of Highland Manor Court after a family member discovered the couple unresponsive. Hoover Fire-Medics pronounced both adults dead at the scene. Police have stated that preliminary evidence points to a murder-suicide, emphasizing that the incident poses no ongoing threat to the public. The investigation remains in its early stages, with no motive released.
Christina Chambers, a beloved figure in Alabama’s sports media and education communities, left an indelible mark through her passionate career. A native of Cullman, Alabama, she was a standout athlete, earning a four-year Division I scholarship in cross country and track at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), where she graduated with a degree in mass communication in 2009.
Chambers began her broadcasting journey as a sports and news reporter at WLTZ NBC38 in Columbus, Georgia, before joining Comcast Sports Southeast in Atlanta as an Auburn University beat reporter and sideline reporter for high school football. She later worked as a sports reporter and anchor at WAKA in Montgomery, joining WBRC Fox 6 in Birmingham in 2015, where she became known for her energetic coverage of high school and college sports until 2021. Even after leaving full-time broadcasting, she freelanced, including sideline reporting for Alabama Public Television’s coverage of the Super 7 high school football championships—just weeks before her death.
In 2021, following her marriage, Chambers transitioned to education, serving as a broadcast journalism teacher in the Broadcast Academy at Thompson High School in Alabaster until early 2025. There, she mentored students to numerous accolades, including two Alabama Journalists of the Year, a SkillsUSA State Championship in Broadcast News, and multiple All-Alabama Overall Broadcast Awards. In 2024, she was named Advisor of the Year by the Alabama Scholastic Press Association. She later took a role in corporate communications at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama while continuing to contribute to high school sports broadcasts.
Tributes poured in from colleagues, students, and the community. WBRC described her as “a valued member of our newsroom and a beloved colleague whose warmth, humor, and passion for sports left a lasting impact.” Alabaster City Schools expressed deep sadness, highlighting her meaningful connections with students and dedication to the profession. Former coworkers remembered her energy and genuine care, with one noting a recent embrace at the Super 7 event.
The tragedy has shocked Birmingham’s media and sports circles, underscoring the profound loss of a talented journalist, educator, and mother. Authorities continue to investigate, and support is being offered to those affected.
