Country star Jean Shepard's granddaughter, 18, and her 'boyfriend' are found dead at the home of the singer's 79-year-old widower
- The granddaughter of country great Jean Shepard was murdered Saturday in Hendersonvillle, Tennessee
- Icie Hawkins, 18, was found with multiple stab wounds at the home of Shepard's second husband, Benny Birchfield
- She later died after being rushed to the hospital, while Birchfield, 79, underwent surgery after he too was stabbed multiple times
- Travis Sanders, 21, was also found inside the home and pronounced dead on the scene from a gunshot wound
- Police are not searching for a suspect and called the incident a 'contained situation,' noting that 'everybody who was there was identified'
- Sanders and Hawkins had been in a relationship since May of this year according to his Facebook page
- Shepard passed away in September at the age of 82 of Parkinson's disease
A shocking murder that occurred in Tennessee over the weekend left the granddaughter of singer Jean Shepard dead, and the late country great's husband seriously injured.
The incident took place around 3am on Saturday at the Hendersonville home of Benny Birchfield, 79, who was married to Shepard for close to five decades before she passed away at the age of 82 this past September of Parkinson's disease.
Birchfield was outside the home when police arrived on the scene and had been stabbed multiple times.
Inside the home, Shepard's 18-year-old granddaughter Icie Hawkins was also found with multiple stab wounds and rushed to the hospital. She later died from her injuries.
Travis Sanders, 21, was also found inside and pronounced dead on the scene from a gunshot wound.
Tragedy: Icie Hawkins (above), the granddaughter of country great Jean Shepard was murdered Saturday in Hendersonvillle, Tennessee
Awful: Hawkins (left with her grandmother in the 90s and right earlier this year), 18, was found with multiple stab wounds at the home of Shepard's second husband, Benny Birchfield
Improving: Birchfield (above in 2011 with Shepard) underwent surgery after he too was stabbed multiple times in the attack
Seargent Jim Vaughn of the Hendersonville Police Department said that Hawkins had been living with Birchfield at the time of her death.
He also stated that police were not searching for a suspect and called the incident a 'contained situation,' saying: 'Everybody who was there was identified.'
Authorities plan to release more information about the case once the autopsies are complete.
Birchfield is improving after undergoing surgery and has spoken with police, who have yet to determine the motive of the killer.
Sanders and Hawkins had been in a relationship since May of this year according to his Facebook page.
Hawkins did not list Sanders as her boyfriend on her Facebook account, and just days before her death put a post on her page that read: 'I respect a man who is vocal. Tell me why you're into me. Tell me why I pissed you off & tell me how ca I can fix it.
'Tell me everything. Talk.'
Gone: Travis Sanders (above) was also found inside the home and pronounced dead on the scene from a gunshot wound
Scene: Police are not searching for a suspect and called the incident a 'contained situation,' noting that 'everybody who was there was identified' (Birchfield's home above)
Thoughts: Hawkins' cousin Rachael posted on her Facebook page (above), writing: 'I love you icie.. please come back and say it was just a dream. I miss you.'
Anger: Her aunt Donna Wells also wrote on the victim's Facebook page, posting a message that read: 'I hope he's burning in hell'
Hawkins' mother, Velvet Sloan, also posted on Facebook shortly after the death of her teenage daughter.
'It is with unbearable sadness and pain that we announce the untimely passing of our daughter Icie Mae Sloan-Hawkins on Saturday morning,' wrote Sloan.
'It is apparent that Icie was known and loved by many. The outpouring of love and affection by those who knew her is greatly appreciated by her family.
'The circumstances of her passing are still under investigation so at this time we ask that you respect the privacy of both families involved in this terrible tragedy.
'Final arrangements are being made and, once completed, will be announced in the days ahead.'
Hawkins' cousin Rachael also posted on her Facebook page, writing: 'I love you icie.. please come back and say it was just a dream. I miss you.'
Her aunt Donna Wells also wrote on the victim's Facebook page, posting a message that read: 'I hope he's burning in hell.'
Back in the day: Shepard (left in late 1950s) became a widow three years into her first marriage when her husband Hackshaw Hawkins (right) died in the same plane crash that killed Patsy Cline
Hawkins' father Donnie was one of two sons born to Shepard while she was married to her first husband, Hawkshaw Hawkins.
That marriage ended in 1963 when he was killed in a plane crash along with Patsy Cline and Cowboy Copas.
Shepard, who was known as 'the grand lady of the Grand Ole Opry, joined the famed lineup at the legendary Nashville music stage back in 1955.
The young woman who was born Ollie Imogene Shepard in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma set herself apart soon after her arrival with her strong female point of view on her songs, while also shocking many when she announced that she would be touring alone and not as part of a group.
For the next 50 years Shepard continued to perform at the Opry and in 2011 she was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
She and Birchfield had their own child after marrying in 1968, a son Corey.
Birchfield was also a notable name on the country music scene, playing alongside Roy Orbison and the Osborne Brothers early in his career.
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