In pre-dawn hours on November 1, 2025, 57-year-old Gene Chaney Jr. was shot dead in his Bethel home. Chaney Jr. himself called the Bethel Police Department first to report a domestic disturbance; shortly afterward his partner called again to report he had been shot and was unresponsive. Emergency responders found Chaney Jr. with severe wounds consistent with a shotgun blast and he was pronounced dead at the scene. His death was ruled a homicide.

A family member who is a minor fled the home but surrendered several hours later in the hospital parking lot and was taken into custody without incident. The minor has been charged as an adult with manslaughter and was being held at the Bethel Youth Facility pending a preliminary hearing set for November 10. The community is mourning while the case moves through the courts.

If anyone knew Gene Chaney Jr., his household, or witnessed activity near that address in Bethel on November 1, can you help investigators by coming forward?