A tragic double homicide in Bourbon County, Kentucky, has left a community reeling and a four-month-old baby orphaned. Nineteen-year-old Christopher Tolby has been charged with the murders of his ex-girlfriend, 20-year-old Dixie Brainard, and her new boyfriend, 24-year-old Charles “Chucky” Callaway. The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of April 3, 2023, with police receiving a 911 call at approximately 2:31 a.m. reporting two bodies found at a residence.
Upon arrival, Kentucky State Police discovered Brainard shot in the head inside a pickup truck, while Callaway had been brutally stabbed and beaten with a baseball bat in a nearby field. Chillingly, the couple’s infant son was found unharmed, strapped into his car seat just feet away from the scene of the violence.
Investigators were led to Tolby by his father, Jeremy Tolby, who arrived at the scene and offered critical information about his son’s turbulent relationship with Brainard. He disclosed that Christopher had stolen a handgun from their home shortly before the incident, which police believe was the weapon used in the murders. Following the killings, Tolby was found naked and covered in blood in a damaged vehicle in Carter County, where he allegedly confessed to the crimes in a calm manner, detailing the events leading up to the brutal attack.
According to the arrest affidavit, Tolby shot Brainard at close range and then pursued Callaway, stabbing him multiple times before continuing the attack with a baseball bat. The brutality of the assault has been described as deeply personal, with law enforcement officials emphasizing the violent nature of the crimes.
After the murders, Tolby allegedly returned to the crime scene with a witness, reportedly striking the still-alive Callaway multiple times with the baseball bat, raising further alarm among investigators. Evidence collected from the scene included bloody clothing, a knife, and a baseball bat, all found in Tolby’s vehicle. Although authorities believe the handgun used in the shooting was discarded along a highway, it has yet to be recovered.
Tolby has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges, which have been forwarded to a grand jury for review. He is currently being held on a $2 million bond. As the legal process unfolds, the families of the victims are left to cope with their profound loss. Brainard’s father, Daniel Brainard, expressed his determination to honor his daughter’s memory, vowing not to let her story fade away. Meanwhile, Callaway’s brother voiced a visceral desire for justice, indicating the emotional turmoil experienced by both families.
The tragedy has also raised questions about gun safety and parental responsibility, particularly concerning the access to firearms that were allegedly misappropriated by Tolby. Law enforcement officials have underscored the importance of securely storing weapons to prevent such incidents.
As the community comes to terms with this horrific event, attention now turns to the legal proceedings ahead, which will determine Tolby’s fate. If convicted of the murder charges, he could face life in prison, with the possibility of the death penalty still an open question. The implications of this case will reverberate through the lives of those affected, particularly for the innocent child who has been left without parents.