Police confirm couple found dead on Skyline Drive were stabbed, son charged with murder

The Columbia couple found deceased in a home on Skyline Drive Monday morning were “brutally” stabbed to death by their son, according to the latest update from the city’s police department.

Captain Jeremy Haywood announced during a Tuesday afternoon press conference that the department has gathered evidence showing Demondra Gaines, 27, is responsible for the deaths of his mother, Katrina Gaines, 51, and father, Christopher Gaines, 56, in a single-story home located on the 600 block of Skyline Drive.

“The Columbia Police Department is aggressively investigating the tragic double-homicide,” Haywood said. “Investigators worked throughout the night processing the crime scene and developing leads in this case. Evidence recovered from this crime scene proves the death of Christopher and Katrina Gaines to be the result of a brutal stabbing attack on the couple and that their 27-year-old son, Demondra Gaines, is responsible for this attack upon these two individuals.”

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Children were present at the time of the stabbing

Haywood said that there were two children, ages 2 and 3, inside the home at the time the stabbing occurred.

He did not disclose the children’s relationship with the victims or the suspect.

“The children were unharmed and are being cared for and are safe with their parents at this time,” Haywood said.

After allegedly carrying out the attack, Demondra Gaines then fled the scene in a black 2018 Nissan Altima with the license plate number 8B0-6P6.

The car was owned by his mother and is considered stolen by the authorities.

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Demondra Gaines encouraged to turn himself in

As of Tuesday evening, warrants have been issued by the department for Demondra Gaines’ arrest.

Initially described as a person of interest in the case, Gaines now faces two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of aggravated assault resulting in death in addition to a charge for the theft of a motor vehicle.

Haywood said the department encourages Demondra Gaines to contact the local authorities wherever he may be and turn himself in.

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Suspect considered armed and dangerous

The local police department is calling on members of the public to remain vigilant and contact the authorities if they see Demondra Gaines or have had any recent contact with him.

“The Columbia Police Department is seeking assistance and would like to talk to anybody who may know the whereabouts of Demondra gains and ask that anybody who has spoken to him or seen him — they are encouraged to contact the investigations division,” Haywood said. “Demondra Gains should be considered armed and dangerous and members of the public are encouraged not to individually approach Mr. Gaines if they see him.”

Haywood said the Gains does not have a past criminal record with the Columbia Police Department and the department has not previously been called to the property where the stabbing occurred.

The Maury County Sheriff’s Department also confirmed that it does not have any records of Demondra Gains being involved in any previous criminal activity.

“We are not discussing motives at this time,” Haywood said.

Any person with further information about this crime or the whereabouts of Gaines is encouraged to contact Columbia Police Department at (931) 388-2727 ext.1.

“This is a tragic event,” Haywood said. “It is a sad event and the Columbia Police Department is working to bring this to a peaceful resolution. But we do need the assistance of anybody who has spoken to him or has been in contact with him. We are asking anybody who has had contact with him prior to and or after this incident.”

Reach Mike Christen at mchristen@c-dh.net. Follow him on Twitter at @MikeChristenCDH and on Instagram at @michaelmarco. Please consider supporting his work and that of other Daily Herald journalists by subscribing to the publication.

This article originally appeared on The Daily Herald: Skyline Drive: Son charged with murder of mother, father in Columbia