Highland City, Florida — Just days before Christmas, a quiet Florida neighborhood became the scene of a devastating domestic tragedy that claimed the life of a devoted mother of three and left her teenage daughter fighting to survive. Authorities say the violence erupted after an argument over watching an NFL football game, ending with a murder-suicide that shocked the community and the nation.
Crystal Roure, a single mother who spent her life protecting and providing for her children, was killed inside her home on December 22, according to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. Her husband, Jason Kenney, also shot her 13-year-old daughter in the face before later taking his own life, investigators said.
A mother who put her children first
Those who knew Crystal describe her as fiercely protective, patient, and deeply committed to her role as a mother.
“She didn’t rush anything when it came to her kids,” her sister, Stephanie Roure, said. “She waited a full year before introducing the man she was dating to them. She wanted to be sure.”
Crystal, who became a mother at 25, worked full-time while raising her children alone for years. Family members say she never missed a school event, award ceremony, or field trip — even while juggling long work hours.
Her children were her entire world, Stephanie said, adding that Crystal managed to buy a home on her own and built a stable life through determination and discipline.
“She wasn’t working just for a paycheck,” her sister said. “She worked to grow, to learn, and to prove she could overcome anything.”
A relationship that slowly changed her
Crystal met Jason Kenney through church, and early photos show a smiling couple and what appeared to be a blended family settling into a new life. They married in November 2023, and friends initially believed Crystal had finally found happiness.
But her sister noticed subtle changes after the wedding.
“She lost that glow she had,” Stephanie said. “At first, I thought it was pregnancy. But something felt different.”
Crystal became pregnant with her third child soon after marrying Kenney. While she assured family members she was fine, loved ones now believe she may have been struggling privately.
The night everything unraveled
According to Sheriff Grady Judd, the family spent the evening of December 22 gathered around their Christmas tree. Kenney, meanwhile, had been drinking and watching Monday Night Football in a shed outside the home.
Around 11 p.m., Kenney came inside and demanded to continue watching the game. What followed was a heated argument that quickly escalated.
Crystal, sensing danger, told her 12-year-old son to run to a neighbor’s house and call 911.
As the boy fled, he heard the first gunshot.
Deputies responding to the scene found Crystal dead inside the home. Her 13-year-old daughter had been shot twice, once in the face and once in the shoulder.
“She begged him not to shoot her,” Judd said at a press conference. “And he shot her anyway.”
A letter that revealed deeper struggles
Investigators later discovered a handwritten letter Crystal had written to her husband, pleading with him to change.
“You’re drinking. You’re using cocaine again,” the letter said. “This is not the way the family should be. You need God.”
Authorities said the couple’s 1-year-old daughter was unharmed, while the teen survived after the bullet struck the bridge of her nose and deflected upward.
Suspect fled before taking his own life
After the shooting, Kenney drove to his late father’s home and called his sister, telling her he had done “something very, very bad” and that it would be the last time they spoke.
Deputies later located him in a shed on the property. When officers ordered him to come out, they heard a single gunshot. Kenney was found dead inside.
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No prior police reports, but warning signs emerge
Sheriff Judd said a relative later told investigators that Kenney had been physically abusing Crystal for some time, though no prior domestic violence calls or charges were on record.
“He absolutely destroyed a family,” Judd said. “There were Christmas presents under the tree. Everything looked perfect — until it wasn’t.”
Remembered as a hero
Crystal’s family says she died doing what she always did — protecting her children.
Her 13-year-old daughter survived, her son acted bravely by calling for help, and her youngest child was spared. Loved ones say Crystal’s final actions reflect the strength and devotion that defined her life.
As the investigation concludes, the tragedy has renewed conversations about hidden domestic violence, substance abuse, and the warning signs that often go unnoticed.
What more can be done to help families recognize and escape dangerous situations before it’s too late? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
