Kenneth Hardin Jr., the man charged in the murder of his wife, Carrie Hardin, pleaded guilty on Monday, June 23 to all charges against him. Hardin’s charges included murder, concealing a death, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The courtroom heard an emotional testimony and virtual statement from the victim’s mother, Yvonne Smith via webcam. She described the devastating impact her daughter’s death has had on the family- particularly on Carrie and Kenneth’s two sons, who were 8 and 11 years old at the time of her death. 

“This is a trauma they will not get over,” said Smith.  “It is a profound injury to our whole family.”

Hardin was arrested in August of 2024 after allegedly confessing to family members that he had killed Carrie, burned her body, and was leaving town. According to the autopsy report, Carrie sustained nine gunshot wounds to her chest, torso, and arms. 

Hardin’s father, Kenneth Hardin Sr., contacted the Fayette County Dispatch Center after his son confessed the crime to him and told him to call the police before fleeing. During the trial, Hardin Sr. reflected on his son’s upbringing, particularly his involvement in their church community, in which his son was a third-generation minister. He recalled the moment his son told him what happened to the courtroom.

“I was thoroughly shocked. I dropped to my knees. I began to pray to God about it,” said Hardin Sr. in court on Monday. “This tragic, horrible situation does not give to how my son is and how I raised him”.

Investigators searched Hardin’s residence and found a shallow grave in the backyard containing Carrie’s partially burned remains. The evidence was consistent with the statement provided by Hardin’s father.

Detectives later tracked Hardin’s vehicle to a motel in Covington, Louisiana. He was apprehended there with the assistance of the Louisiana State Patrol and the St. Tammy Parish Sheriff’s Office. During questioning, Sargent Taweyla Wilson testified that Hardin admitted to shooting Carrie after his wife threatened to leave him and take their sons with her. 

Following testimony from Sergeant Wilson, Yvonne Smith, and Kenneth Hardin Sr., Judge Kreuziger handed down the sentence of life without parole. Judge Kreuziger told Hardin Jr. that the mercy he was asking for is the mercy he should have shown his wife.

*Edited 6/25/25 to add notes from prosecution.