Ronnie Earl Hardin was 64 when he was shot to death on the evening of July 7, 2014, in Central City, Kentucky. He was killed at his former marital residence, where he had returned to use the detached golf shop where he gave lessons and worked on clubs. The fatal wound was a gunshot to the upper torso from a .357 Ruger revolver.

The months before his death included a separation from his wife Brenda in January 2012 and a finalized divorce on July 30, 2013. Brenda’s health reportedly declined after the split, and she had attempted suicide in 2013. Ronnie had become engaged to another woman, Betty Rule, and their son Brent had warned Ronnie about returning to the property because of Brenda’s volatile state.

After the shooting, Brenda Hardin ingested a large quantity of prescription medication and then drove to her sister’s house, where she confessed to the killing and emergency services were called. Investigators found the murder weapon and letters at Brenda’s home, including suicide notes addressed to family members and to Ronnie’s fiancée. Brenda was later indicted, tried, and convicted of murder; the jury recommended life imprisonment and the court imposed that sentence.