Bio

Keith Leroy Tharpe was born in 1958. Not much is known about his early life or childhood. As he grew up, he lived in Georgia. Throughout his life, he faced various challenges. He had limited prior legal troubles, mostly involving driving violations.

In August 1990, Tharpe experienced personal difficulties. His wife left him and moved in with her mother after a troubled relationship. Tharpe began displaying threatening behavior towards his estranged wife and her family. This led to a peace warrant being issued against him, which prohibited any contact.

Despite this order, Tharpe made a phone call to his wife just one day before a serious event happened. He engaged in a heated argument with her, expressing anger over her decisions.

On September 25, 1990, Tharpe confronted his wife and her sister-in-law while they were driving. This moment would lead to actions that changed many lives forever.

Murder Story

On September 25, 1990, Keith Leroy Tharpe committed murder and other violent acts against his estranged wife and her sister-in-law, Jacqueline Freeman. Tharpe used his vehicle to force the car of his wife and Freeman off the road in Jones County, Georgia. He approached them armed with a shotgun.

Tharpe threatened Freeman before shooting her multiple times. After shooting her, he rolled her body into a ditch. He then kidnapped his estranged wife, continuing to display violent behavior. After some failed attempts to find a place to stay, he sexually assaulted her by the side of the road. Tharpe drove to a nearby city where his wife managed to call the police.

Tharpe was arrested on the same day, September 25, 1990. He faced trial and was convicted of malice murder and two counts of kidnapping with bodily injury. On January 18, 1991, he was sentenced to death. The state Supreme Court later ordered the reconsideration of his sentence.