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On Friday, a 32-year-old Kentucky man was arrested in Illinois for killing his lover and then absconding with his four sons.

Richard Gray was accused of murdering his girlfriend, Tabitha Nicole Murray after her body was discovered on the kitchen floor of her house by Bardstown police during a wellness check on the afternoon of the day Gray was taken into custody. 

“I knew she was a really good girl. She never did bother nobody. She never did anything to nobody,” Chasity Gilbert, a neighbor, told the news outlet. “Everyone’s trying to figure out what’s going on, what really happened, what caused this.”

Upon realizing that Gray’s four children were missin

g, Bardstown police issued an Amber Alert. 

According to a statement by Mt. Vernon police, the alleged killer and the missing boys were found by Mt. Vernon police after responding to a call from a gas station where Gray and another man were fighting.

“On Friday, February 4th, 2022, at around 2138 hours, officers from the Mt Vernon Police Department responded to a report of a fight in progress at the Mach 1 Gas Station, 1409 S 42nd Street, in Mt Vernon,” the statement began.

“Upon their arrival, the officers were able to separate the two male subjects involved. One of the males would not cooperate with officers and began resisting commands leading to him being taken into custody. Officers began an investigation of the incident and became aware of a vehicle on the parking lot that was reportedly driven by the male in custody. Upon running the registration on the vehicle, the officers learned an Amber alert had been posted on the vehicle, and the vehicle was possibly being driven by a murder suspect, Richard Gray, from Kentucky and endangered children were also believed to be traveling in the vehicle.”

Authorities stated that Gray falsely identified himself. Officers didn’t believe him and continued investigating until they discovered his real identity because of a warrant issued in Bardstown for his arrest. He was found with a stolen, loaded firearm. The four children were safe inside the vehicle at the gas station and were taken by the Division of Children and Family Services and placed back with their paternal grandparents. 

He was charged with first-degree murder and unlawful imprisonment. Mt. Vernon police also charged him with resisting arrest, obstructing arrest, aggravated unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a stolen firearm, criminal damage to property and aggravated battery. He’s being held on a $500,000 bond.

In light of Murray’s death, her sister Trina

created a GoFundMe to raise money for the victim’s children and help with funeral costs. Murray had two children, including one son with Gray. He was Gray’s other three sons when he fled Bardstown.

“My name is Katrina Murray (one of [Tabitha’s] sisters). My sister was [taken] away from this world way [too] soon. She was murdered by her so-called boyfriend. She leaves behind two children who deserve to see their mother sent off to glory the right way, so I’m asking that if you could donate anything, that would be greatly appreciated.”

Of the $10,000 requested, the family has raised almost $14,000.