Army Sergeant Shot While Dropping Food Off to His Family

Around 11 p.m. on New Year’s Eve 2018, 23-year-old active-duty soldier Kemia Hassel called St. Joseph Township, MI, 9-1-1. “I need help! My husband’s been shot,” she explained to the operator. “I NEED HELP!!”

First responders found Tyrone Hassel, 24, clinging to life in the driveway of his father’s home. A frantic Kemia hugged and consoled him.

Tyrone died from his injuries at a local hospital.

Kemia told authorities her husband had attended a family gathering. He stopped by his father’s house to drop off food from the event and headed back out to his car. She heard gunshots as he returned to his car and found him shot in the driveway.

She went on to say that Tyrone had no known enemies. He was a well-liked Army Sergeant who recently returned from an eight-month deployment. The couple lived with their almost 2-year-old son on Ft Stewart (Georgia). They traveled to Michigan to visit his family.

A couple a block away told police they saw a suspicious vehicle parked in front of a home with a ‘For Sale’ sign in the yard. The man, dressed in all black, exited the vehicle and walked toward the Hassel home. The couple heard six gunshots moments later. By the time the couple looked out the window again, the vehicle was gone.

This information helped police, but did not provide enough information to lead them to Tyrone’s killer.

About a week later, a soldier at Fort Stewart contacted authorities stating she heard a rumor that Kemia was having an afair with a fellow soldier. The soldier was stationed with the Hassells at the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, but that's all she knew. She didn't know the man’s name, although the information gave police a viable lead.

Within days, police confirmed the suspicious car belonged to 24-year-old Jeremy Cuella. He was the same man rumored to be having an affair with Kemia. 

Kemia Admis Everything

Authorities brought Kemia into the station for questioning.

Kemia readily admitted that she and Jeremy began a romantic relationship while deployed in South Korea. Emotions became intense, and the pair decided it would be best to remove Tyrone from the picture. As a bonus, they’d receive a $400,000 payout from her husband’s life insurance policy.

She revealed that Jeremy had shot Tyrone. He backed out of the murderon at least four prior occasions. According to Kemia, he drove to St. Joseph Township from Fort Stewart each time. He finally went through with his plans on New Year’s Eve.

Eleven days after Tyrone’s murder, police arrested Kemia and Jeremy. During a jailhouse interview with Tyrone’s dad, Tyrone Hassel Jr., Jeremy admitted to his crime and apologized profusely.

Kemia admitted to her role and motive for her husband's murder in a taped interview. She said, “I'm just as guilty as he is.” She admitted to giving Jeremy “several updates” about Tyrone’s location and movements the night of the murder,

Sentencing

Jeremy pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He was sentenced to 65 to 90 years in prison.

Despite admitting to her role in the crime, Kemia pleaded not guilty. She was convicted of conspiracy and first-degree murder. She was sentenced to life in prison without parole.

Tyrone’s father told Jeremy that he appreciated the apology, but his son was loved, so he would “meet a lot of friends” in prison. 

Lashanda Jones, Tyrone’s mother, told her former daughter-in-law: “I want you to spend every day suffering behind bars for the rest of your life, and I hope every time you close your eyes, my son tap you on the shoulders and smile. “ (sic)

Jeremy later withdrew his guilty plea, which Hassel Jr. said was a “slap in the face.” Nonetheless, he remains behind bars.

Kemia petitioned for a new trial, claiming Tyrone had abused her. The people in the Hassel family and friends group attested that he was a good man, a great soldier, and an amazing husband who would never harm his wife. Her petition was denied. She remains behind bars.

Sources:

https://abcnews.go.com/US/army-sergeants-death-uncovers-secret-affair-murder-plot/story?id=107063102

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt22778974/

https://www.robbinsbrothersfh.com/obituary/SergeantTyrone-HasselIII