The community is mourning the shooting death of Christina Chambers, a beloved veteran broadcaster killed in a murder-suicide at the Hoover home she shared with her husband and 3-year-old son.
“Heartbroken to lose a dear friend of our TV community,” ESPN reporter Lauren Sisler posted on X.
“For many years in Birmingham, Christina shared sidelines and media rooms with so many of us through long days and countless assignments. Her presence alone had a way of brightening the room.”
“The Birmingham media market was better because of her,” Sisler wrote. “Praying for her family, friends, and everyone who loved her. Rest in peace sweet Christina.”’
Simone Eli, a sports anchor for PIX 11 in New York City who worked for several Alabama television stations, posted this about Chambers on Facebook:
“Often, when something tragic happens, folks talk about how great a person’s impact was. But what Christina Chambers means to so many people in the state of Alabama — cannot even be described.
“Her love for others, her love for her son, her family, her love for running, broadcast, Cullman, UAB — was palpable. She is the embodiment of a remarkable human being and friend. She has touched so, so many lives. Including mine.
“For more than a decade, we shared a sideline and press box… from national titles to high school football state championships. But what we enjoyed sharing most was stories of becoming working TV moms at the same time.
“We were always so proud to be friends beyond TV competitors. All of us were.
“My heart hurts over this tragedy and I am praying for her sweet baby boy Constantine. I love you friend. Everybody loves you. And you will be missed dearly. I am so sorry. I’d give anything to see you in March for the NYC marathon.”
Chambers, 38, and her husband, 41-year-old Johnny Rimes Jr., were found dead shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday in their Highland Manor Court home.
Rimes shot Chambers and then himself, authorities believe.
Their toddler son – Constantine – was found unharmed inside the home.
Chambers, an avid runner and former collegiate track athlete at UAB, went for a run Tuesday morning, arriving back at her home about 6 a.m. or shortly after.
Police were called to the 700 block of Highland Manor Court, just off Sulphur Springs Road, shortly after 9 a.m.
Rimes’ parents made the tragic discovery when Chambers, Rimes and their son failed to show up for a Christmas program at Prince of Peace Catholic School in Hoover, where Chambers and her family were also parishioners.
Chief Deputy Coroner Bill Yates said the shootings happened between 6:15 a.m. and 9:03 a.m. Both were pronounced dead on the scene at 9:12 a.m.
Chambers worked at Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Alabama at the time of her death.
“We are deeply saddened by this horrific tragedy, and we extend our heartfelt condolences to Christina’s family during this extremely difficult time,” according to a statement released by Blue Cross Communications Director Sophie Martin.
“She was a cherished colleague whose warmth and loving personality touched everyone she worked with,” Martin said. “Christina was a source of joy and inspiration to our team and company – she will be greatly missed.”
Chambers joined WBRC Fox 6 in November 2015, and at the time had more than five years of experience covering the SEC, ACC, C-USA, and high school sports throughout Alabama and Georgia, according to her former Fox 6 website profile.
“From the moment she joined us, she had a great motor to go with her kind soul,” Rick Karle, who helped hire Chambers at Fox 6, wrote on Facebook. “She never griped, only loved. Whatever task I put before her, she tackled it with glee.”
“She had a deep relationship with Jesus. She never missed church and never missed living in her faith,” Karle wrote. “Her love for her family – including her 3-year-old son – ran deep.”
Prior to joining Fox 6, Chambers served as a sports reporter and anchor at WAKA in Montgomery.
She began her broadcast career as a sports and news reporter at WLTZ NBC38 in Columbus, Georgia, before joining the regional sports network Comcast Sports Southeast in Atlanta.
At CSS, she served as the Auburn University beat reporter and sideline reporter for Friday night high school football games.
Just two weeks ago, she served as the sideline reporter for Alabama Public Television’s broadcast of the Super 7 high school football championship games in Birmingham.
“She was absolutely one of the kindest, generous and patient persons I have ever known,” Ron Ingram, longtime communications director Alabama High School Athletic Association, posted on Facebook.
“She was a friend to all who knew her and was a media that totally understood the mission of education-based athletics at the high school level.”
“Her presence as a TV reporter/commentator on the sidelines of our AHSAA Super7 football championships and our State Basketball Championships and our TV network games of the week elevated each broadcast to another level,” Ingram said. “She was the consummate professional who looked for the best in everyone.”
Chambers was an avid runner who was a four-year Division 1A scholarship athlete at UAB in cross country and track where she received a bachelor’s degree in journalism.
Chambers and Rimes married in 2021 and began a new career as a TV and film advisor at Thompson High School.
In 2024, she was named the Alabama Scholastic Press Association’s Advisor of the Year after being nominated by her students.
Alabaster City Schools Superintendent Wayne Vickers released this statement about Chambers:
“We are deeply saddened by the passing of Christina Chambers. From 2021 to early 2025, Christina served as a broadcast journalism teacher in our Broadcast Academy at Thompson High School, where she quickly formed meaningful connections with her students. Her dedication to them and to her profession was evident in everything she did.
Christina was honored as the 2024 Advisor of the Year by the Alabama Scholastic Press Association. Under her guidance, her THS TV Broadcast Team earned the Alex House Journalism Sustainability Award in 2025. She also mentored two Alabama Journalists of the Year, led students to a SkillsUSA State Championship in Broadcast News, and guided her program to two All-Alabama Overall Broadcast Awards.
As a beloved member of the Warrior Nation Network, Christina brought her deep knowledge and love of sports reporting to Friday nights, leaving a lasting impression on students, colleagues, and viewers alike. She was a cherished part of the Warrior family, and we extend our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to all who are grieving this profound loss.”
News of Chambers’ death spread quickly and drew an outpouring of grief on social media.
“This is just absolutely horrifying. Christina is one of my favorite people I’ve met in this industry. So funny and so smart,” wrote John Talty of CBS Sports on X. “This news is unimaginable.”
“Christina Chambers loss was heavy on our hearts tonight. Many of us knew her as a great runner but an even greater person,” Johnny “Ironman” Montgomery wrote on Facebook. Montgomery’s daughter, Megan, was killed by her husband in 2019.
“Tonight, we prayed for Christina’s family as they will have to bury their beautiful daughter just as I had to bury my beautiful daughter Megan in 2019,” Montgomery said. “God gives us the strength to make it through our struggles and storms of life.”
