Stagehand for country star Randy Travis fatally shot by wife over alleged affair, police say

A stagehand for country star Randy Travis was allegedly shot dead over the weekend by his wife, who believed he was having an affair, according to authorities.

Thomas Roberts, who worked as a lighting tech for the 64-year-old country crooner, died Sunday on the front porch of the Nashville residence he shared with his wife Christine Ann Roberts, Nashville Police said in a press release on Tuesday. She was arrested and charged with criminal homicide for killing her husband, who police said died from a single gunshot wound to the chest.

When questioned by investigators, the 72-year-old suspect said “she shot her husband because he had cheated on her,” according to the press release.

According to an arrest affidavit obtained by NBC, a neighbor heard the gunfire and discovered Roberts lying unresponsive on his patio. First responders arrived at the home around 9 p.m., and Roberts was pronounced dead a short time later.

The neighbor similarly “reported to detectives that the defendant had also told them that she admitted to shooting her husband because she discovered that he had cheated on her,” the arrest affidavit said.

A pistol was also recovered from the scene.

In wake of the deadly violence, Travis posted an emotional tribute, mourning the loss of his talented stagehand, who he described as a “gentle giant” with “a song in his heart.”

“The stage has gone dim with the passing of Thom Roberts,” he wrote in a July 10 Facebook post. “For many years, the Randy Travis band and crew had the opportunity to share the winding roads and the beautiful venues with one of the very best stage lighting technicians in the business.”

The 64-year-old Grammy winner added that Roberts “not only had a magical sense about lighting a stage, but had a quiet, charismatic presence that ignited your soul.”

A representative for Travis confirmed to NBC News that Roberts worked with the musician for about 20 years as a stagehand, until Travis suffered a stroke in 2013.

Christine Roberts is due back in court Wednesday, according to court records. Her bond has been set at $100,000