The Murders of Nancy and Kenneth Starnes
For this case I watched an episode of The Murder Tapes. It’s season 5 episode 5, titled ‘Cover the Camera, and I’ll Talk.’
An elderly woman and her son are killed in their home.
Background
Nancy Starnes was 80 years old at the time of her death. She had been married until her husband George passed away in 1998. Nancy and George had four kids together, and her son, 58 year old Kenneth lived with Nancy to take care of her.
Nancy was described as someone with a heart of gold and very spunky. Kenneth was very close to his brother Paul, and the two of them were taught how to fish and hunt by their dad, and was something they enjoyed doing together.
Kenneth and Nancy “Meemaw” Starnes
The Murders
On September 23, 2017, Paul Starnes Jr., called the Isle of Wight County sheriff’s office. He said he hadn’t heard from his grandma and uncle in a few days, and was requesting a welfare check. Paul also told the police that he went over to the home to find the doors kicked in, and both cars, a Ford F-150 and a Chrysler minivan missing. He also said there was a bad smell, and he just had a gut feeling that something was wrong.
The police arrived, and immediately found two bodies in the home. Nancy or ‘meemaw,’ as she was referred as, was found in her bed, and had been shot several times in the head. Kenneth was also found in his bedroom. He had been shot in the hand, chest and upper torso.
The bedrooms had been ransacked, and items were all over the floor. The police located a gun cabinet, but there were no guns inside. The police believed that two people were involved in the crime, considering both cars were missing. There were also shell casings found in both bedrooms from a .40 caliber gun, but the murder weapon was nowhere to be found.
An Inside Job?
The police spoke to Paul Jr., who was outside the home. He appeared emotional, but the police were suspicious when Paul made several odd statements. He told the police that he would be in possession of everything, but didn’t do this to his family.
During the investigation, the police reached out to Paul Jr.’s cousin also named Nancy. Nancy said she believed that the killers were someone that the family knew and knew the layout of the home. Nancy was able to tell the police that several TVs, guns, Kenneth’s change jar and jewelry had all been taken.
The police asked Nancy if she knew if Paul would get possession of their grandma’s home and other possessions if she died. Nancy said that everything would have gone to Kenneth, but that she didn’t know who would be next in line since Kenneth was killed too.
Paul Sr., said there was no way his son would hurt his meemaw or uncle.
A New Lead
A few days into the investigation, the police held a press conference asking for the public’s help. They wanted any information, even if it was the smallest lead.
A woman who delivered newspapers came forward. She said she had seen two black males walking in the neighborhood, around the time of the murder. She described one as heavy set, and one as thin.
The police searched the pawn shop records, and some items popped up that seemed to have been the items taken from the Starnes’ home. One pawn shop provided receipts and surveillance footage. The woman who had pawned the items was named Sharon Galvin.
She became a suspect, and a male acquaintance came forward by telling the police that Sharon was selling guns from her home. The man agreed to be an informant, and they made a plan to have the man purchase a gun from Sharon.
A search warrant was obtained for Sharon’s home after the man told the police that Sharon had the guns hidden in a compartment in her shed.
They’ve Been Doing This Awhile
When the police entered Sharon’s home, they found several items that belonged to Nancy and Kenneth Starnes. One of the missing vehicles was found in Sharon’s driveway, and they had possession of TVs and items from other robberies that had been in the same area.
Two men were found in the home, matching the descriptions that the woman delivering newspapers had reported. Sharon, Richard Holmes, 19, and Kareem Mitchell, 29, were all taken to the police station for questioning.
The police asked Sharon how she knew the men, she said Kareem was her brother and Richard was the boyfriend of her daughter. They asked her how she got the stolen TV. She said said she didn’t know, only that it hadn’t been paid for.
During her interview, Sharon admitted that she pawned the stolen items because Richard and Kareem asked her to. The police confronted Sharon with her illegal gun sales. They asked her if she ever saw Kareem or Richard with a gun, and she said she saw Richard with a revolver a few months earlier.
A Confession?
Next, the police spoke to Kareem. They asked him why he had been in a closet when they found him in the home. He said he had fallen asleep, and that was his first of many lies.
The police decided to make up a small white lie to see if Kareem or Richard would talk. They told Kareem that they had him and Richard on surveillance in the neighborhood on the day of the murder.
Kareem then said “kill that camera, and I’ll give you a confession.” He was pointing towards the camera that was above the door in the room. The police said no, and they learned that Kareem actually knew the Starnes family. He had been friends with Nancy, the granddaughter, in high school, and had actually spent time at the Starnes home before.
While several investigators were questioning the three suspects, others were still at Sharon’s home. Inside a drawer in Kareem’s bedroom, the police found a .40 caliber handgun. They also located several purses, TVs and tools from previous robberies. Kareem had also stolen Kenneth’s wallet, and it was found in his room.
The police questioned Richard, but he was useless. Kareem was brought back into the room, and this time they told him he was in deep shit. They confronted him with the information that they found the .40 caliber gun. Kareem told them he was ready to talk if they covered the camera. The police did cover it, however, he was still recorded on another camera in the room.
Kareem said they weren’t supposed to die. He said they went to the home, kicked in the door, and were in the process of stealing the TV. Kareem said Kenneth confronted him, and he saw him reach for something. He said he was “spooked,” and shot him. Kareem then said meemaw spooked him as well, so he shot her. However, meemaw needed help to even walk, so there was no way this older woman could have spooked Kareem. The police said Kareem killed her because she could identify him.
Convictions
Kareem Mitchell was the leader. He avoided the death penalty by pleading guilty to two counts of first degree murder. He was sentenced to two life terms.
Richard Holmes was also charged with two counts of first degree murder. He accepted a plea deal of 32 years in prison.
Sharon Galvin was charged with accessory after the fact. She died in July 2020 before she went on trial. All charges against her were dropped after her death.
Sharon Galvin
Kareem Mitchell and Richard Holmes
FINAL THOUGHTS
This case is another case of two innocent people losing their lives because of greedy and selfish people!!!! Ugh, it makes me so sad. Nancy and Kenneth knew Kareem from some time ago, and he most likely killed them for their items and so they couldn’t identify him. Kareem and Richard both deserve life in prison, and I really hope Richard will never be released.
I also feel bad for Paul Jr., who at first was looked at as a suspect. Maybe he shouldn’t have made the comments that he made, however, we’ll never know how we’re going to react in a situation like this. The Starnes family truly seemed like a loving family, and I hope they are happy with the sentencing of these two monsters.
Sources
https://www.sun-sentinel.com/94740924-132.html
