By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

CALERA— A 36-year-old man is facing murder charges after allegedly killing his wife, 31-year-old Christen Nichole Carr, according to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

The SCSO responded to a residence in the 400 block of East Milgray in Calera on Sunday, June 26, at approximately 12:30 a.m., where Calera police officers were already investigating a suspicious death.

Deputies said they discovered Carr was deceased at the residence. Upon further investigation, deputies determined the events leading to her death occurred at another location in unincorporated Shelby County.

SCSO deputies said they arrested Kenneth Thomas Young based on witness statements, physical evidence and probable cause and charged him with murder and leaving the scene of an accident with death.

According to court documents, Young was allegedly “driving a vehicle recklessly and struck the victim” on June 25 while also under the influence of alcohol and/or a controlled substance.

“Every death is tragic but one that could have been avoided and at such a young age is especially difficult,” said Sheriff John Samaniego. “I hope her friends and family find peace as they grieve her loss and we will do everything we can to assist the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office with this prosecution.”

Samaniego also expressed his sympathy to Carr’s family and friends for their loss.

Young has a lengthy criminal history dating back to Sept. 28, 1998, according to court documents. The suspect has been arrested and charged about 49 different times in multiple jurisdictions within the state.

The arrests and charges include multiple felony and misdemeanor offense, and Young has been convicted of four charges of domestic violence, several charges for reckless endangerment, theft of property, drug possession and smuggling contraband into jail/prison.

Court documents state Young is also the subject of a protection from abuse order that is pending in Montgomery County, as of June 27.

The District Attorney’s Office cited his criminal history and his five previous incidents of failure to appear as evidence to give Young a higher-than-normal bond.

He is currently being held in the Shelby County Jail on bonds totaling $1 million.

According to Alabama state law, murder is a Class A felony, which carries a maximum sentence of life in prison. Leaving the scene of an accident with death is a Class C felony, carrying a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.

Anyone with information about this crime is urged to contact the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office at 669-4181, through the secret witness line at 669-9116 or at ShelbySO.com.