Fugitive Captured: Georgia Man Arrested for Allegedly Killing Wife and Burning Her Body in Backyard Grave

Authorities report that a Georgia man was arrested at a Louisiana motel after allegedly killing his wife, burying her body in a shallow grave behind their home, and then setting it on fire.

Early on August 20, Fayette County Sheriff’s Office received reports of a domestic dispute involving the couple. Georgia Man

Kenneth Hardin Jr., 39, reportedly confessed to relatives on August 21 that he had killed his wife “in self-defense,” burned her remains, and planned to flee town.Georgia Man

Sheriff Barry Babb stated that Hardin’s father initially reported the crime. Hardin had transferred his financial responsibilities to his father, indicating he was preparing to evade capture.Georgia Man

Upon investigating, deputies found evidence supporting the father’s claims, including signs of blood loss and attempts to clean the crime scene.

Detectives tracked Hardin’s vehicle to Covington, Louisiana, and, working with local law enforcement, apprehended him at a motel. He was arrested by SWAT and patrol deputies from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office and is now held at the St. Tammany Parish Correctional Center, awaiting extradition to Georgia.

Simultaneously, Georgia investigators uncovered a shallow grave behind Hardin’s home and discovered the partially burned remains of his wife, Carrie Hardin, along with evidence of gunshot wounds. The victim’s two children are now in the care of family members.