Zoren O’Brien, 81, and his wife Joan O’Brien, 73, were found dead in their Iowa, Louisiana, home on the morning of August 29, 2020, after a family member made the discovery and contacted the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office. Investigators treated the scene as a double homicide, and the Calcasieu Coroner’s Office later confirmed the cause of death for both victims.

Detectives focused on Scot Martin Kidd, 36, of Kinder, who had a prior connection to the O’Brien family and had previously stayed with them and gone on hunting trips with Zoren. Investigators say Kidd’s blood was found on a flashlight near the bodies, and some of Joan’s jewelry was recovered in the possession of Kidd’s estranged girlfriend.

Kidd was tried before a jury in October 2021 and found guilty of two counts of first-degree murder. He testified he acted in self-defense, claiming Zoren accidentally shot his wife and he then killed Zoren to protect himself; the prosecution argued Kidd broke into the home intending to rob the couple. The conviction was later appealed and rejected.