Police: Woman found at home, dead for weeks

By Guadalupe (Wally) Rendón
Diversity Institute Fellow

08.12.03

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Neighbors who live near Deanie Kelly’s house in the 2100 block of Guaranty Drive became worried because they had not seen her for about three weeks.

On Saturday, they decided that the situation was beyond odd.

“The mail box was overflowing with mail,” said Frances Kennon, a next-door neighbor.

Kennon’s husband, Greg, and another neighbor finally went to Kelly’s house and found the door closed but unlocked. Once inside, they began calling for Kelly but only heard a dog barking. A short time later, Greg Kennon pushed the bedroom door open and found the woman lying on her side. Her body was decomposing, and she appeared to have been shot in the head. Her arm was off the side of the bed and a handgun lay on the floor.

Metro Police later concluded that Kelly, 45, suffered from depression and died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The police report also placed the time of death as July 6.

Metro investigators said they reached the conclusion after interviewing family members, but declined to elaborate on the case.

Frances Kennon said that her family has only lived in the neighborhood for a short time, but she noticed that Kelly had numerous parties at her home.

“There were a lot of people coming in and out, and they were always playing loud music,” said Kennon.

Kennon said Kelly lived by herself, but she had a boyfriend. She recalled the last time she saw Kelly was in early July when police were called to the house to respond to a civil disturbance.

“She was outside holding a Golf club while arguing with her boyfriend,” said Kennon.

Kennon said her husband, a truck driver, hasn’t been able to sleep since he discovered the body. Every time he closes his eyes he sees the neighbor’s body, she said.

“He calls me from work all the time telling me he can’t get the image out of his mind; he has been really affected by this,” she said. “I am really worried about my husband.”

Police said it appeared that Kelly’s small dog had been in the room since the woman’s death.

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Articles, photos by Summer 2003 Diversity Institute Fellows
Collection page for articles  07.29.03