In the early afternoon of Sunday, 26 Oct 2014, a horrific event occurred in the Champion home. This story has been all over the news and in the newspapers. I do not want to take away from any story that was reported or printed, but I want to summarize the entire event that I have followed closely.
It was first reported that Vito Riservato murdered the Champion family that he apparently just met the night, or week before depending on what story you believed.
The only survivor, Ryan Champion, who was tied up according to the first story, "turned the tables" on Vito and got away unharmed. Ryan posted from Trigg County Hospital that he was ok and would be in the hospital for a while, but he was released without injury.
Ryan then did so many interviews and showed no emotion. He changed the story about him being tied up and then it was that Vito burst into the home and opened fire.
On Oct 28, Vito's roommate stated in an interview that
Vito had stated that "somebody told him that he would pay him a certain amount of money, like an extreme amount of money to kill somebody." But she didn't believe that he was capable of this crime. New Channel 4 WSMV source.
On Oct 29 the Kentucky State Police released that the 4 victims died of multiple gun shot wounds.
The Cadiz Record also interviewed and release this on 29 Oct: Ryan stated, "he said he understands how his calmness might be unnerving to some people, but he said it's a conscious effort on his part to stay composed – for the benefit of remaining family members and as a tribute to his father."
There were no new details released on 30 Oct 2014. It was too quiet.
On 31 Oct 2014, Ryan Champion was arrested and charged with 4 counts of capital murder and one count of capital kidnapping.
12 Nov 2014, Ryan Champion's charges were changed to three counts complicity to murder, one count of murder and one count of complicity to kidnapping. It is now believed that Ryan Champion and Vito Riservato were working together to kill the family. No motive has been released, but the prosecutor is confident they know Ryan's motive. Champion is set to be arraigned on his new charges on 10 Dec 2014.
On January 27, 2017 Ryan Champion, the adopted son of Lindsey and Joy Champion, was sentenced to four terms of life without parole. He is serving this time at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex. This sentence followed his guilty plea from December 2016.
Rest in peace. Justice for the Champion Family.
Written by: Brandy Wells Murray
_________________________
Goodwin Fuenral Home obit:
Boyd Lindsey Champion, age 62, of Cadiz, KY, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2014, along with his wife, Joy & daughter, Emily at their home in Cadiz, KY.
Mr. Champion was a 1970 graduate of Trigg Co. High School and a 1974 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a degree in mathematics & business finance. He retired as director of the local Farm Credit Services office in Hopkinsville, KY after 38 years serving the agriculture needs of local farmers in the surrounding counties. Lindsey was awarded the Friend of Agriculture Award at the annual Trigg County Agricultural appreciation dinner in 2013.
He was a member of the Cadiz Church of Christ where he served the church as an Elder, lay speaker & Sunday School teacher. Lindsey was a former board member on the Trigg Co. Board of Education. He was a member of the Trigg Co. Cattlemen's Association & local motorcycle riding club that he & his fellow riders affectionally call the "Ben-Gay Club".
He is survived by: One Son; One Sister; One Brother; Sister-In-Law& Brothers-In-Law; Nieces & Nephews
He was preceded in death by: Parents- Boyd & Doris Tomney Champion, Infant Son- Austin Champion, Father-In-Law & Mother-In-Law- John H. "Happy" Allen, Sr. & Madolen Downs Allen.
Arrangements are being handled by Goodwin Funeral Home, Inc. in Cadiz, KY. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the Trigg County High School Gymnasium.
A Joint Funeral Service will be held for Lindsey, Joy & Emily Champion at Trigg County High School Gymnasium at 1:00 PM Sunday, November 2, 2014 with the Brother Randall Evans, Brother Paul Cannon, Larry Kemp & Nathan Butler officiating. A visitation will also be held before the funeral service, Sunday, from 7:00 AM until the time of the service.
Burial will follow at Lawrence Cemetery in Trigg Co., KY.
Memorial Contributions can be made to: Cadiz Church of Christ, 2000 Main Street, Cadiz, KY 42211 or the TCHS class of 2001 Champion Scholarship Fund, C/O-Bank of Cadiz, PO Box 2020, Cadiz, KY 42211.
It was first reported that Vito Riservato murdered the Champion family that he apparently just met the night, or week before depending on what story you believed.
The only survivor, Ryan Champion, who was tied up according to the first story, "turned the tables" on Vito and got away unharmed. Ryan posted from Trigg County Hospital that he was ok and would be in the hospital for a while, but he was released without injury.
Ryan then did so many interviews and showed no emotion. He changed the story about him being tied up and then it was that Vito burst into the home and opened fire.
On Oct 28, Vito's roommate stated in an interview that
Vito had stated that "somebody told him that he would pay him a certain amount of money, like an extreme amount of money to kill somebody." But she didn't believe that he was capable of this crime. New Channel 4 WSMV source.
On Oct 29 the Kentucky State Police released that the 4 victims died of multiple gun shot wounds.
The Cadiz Record also interviewed and release this on 29 Oct: Ryan stated, "he said he understands how his calmness might be unnerving to some people, but he said it's a conscious effort on his part to stay composed – for the benefit of remaining family members and as a tribute to his father."
There were no new details released on 30 Oct 2014. It was too quiet.
On 31 Oct 2014, Ryan Champion was arrested and charged with 4 counts of capital murder and one count of capital kidnapping.
12 Nov 2014, Ryan Champion's charges were changed to three counts complicity to murder, one count of murder and one count of complicity to kidnapping. It is now believed that Ryan Champion and Vito Riservato were working together to kill the family. No motive has been released, but the prosecutor is confident they know Ryan's motive. Champion is set to be arraigned on his new charges on 10 Dec 2014.
On January 27, 2017 Ryan Champion, the adopted son of Lindsey and Joy Champion, was sentenced to four terms of life without parole. He is serving this time at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex. This sentence followed his guilty plea from December 2016.
Rest in peace. Justice for the Champion Family.
Written by: Brandy Wells Murray
_________________________
Goodwin Fuenral Home obit:
Boyd Lindsey Champion, age 62, of Cadiz, KY, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2014, along with his wife, Joy & daughter, Emily at their home in Cadiz, KY.
Mr. Champion was a 1970 graduate of Trigg Co. High School and a 1974 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a degree in mathematics & business finance. He retired as director of the local Farm Credit Services office in Hopkinsville, KY after 38 years serving the agriculture needs of local farmers in the surrounding counties. Lindsey was awarded the Friend of Agriculture Award at the annual Trigg County Agricultural appreciation dinner in 2013.
He was a member of the Cadiz Church of Christ where he served the church as an Elder, lay speaker & Sunday School teacher. Lindsey was a former board member on the Trigg Co. Board of Education. He was a member of the Trigg Co. Cattlemen's Association & local motorcycle riding club that he & his fellow riders affectionally call the "Ben-Gay Club".
He is survived by: One Son; One Sister; One Brother; Sister-In-Law& Brothers-In-Law; Nieces & Nephews
He was preceded in death by: Parents- Boyd & Doris Tomney Champion, Infant Son- Austin Champion, Father-In-Law & Mother-In-Law- John H. "Happy" Allen, Sr. & Madolen Downs Allen.
Arrangements are being handled by Goodwin Funeral Home, Inc. in Cadiz, KY. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the Trigg County High School Gymnasium.
A Joint Funeral Service will be held for Lindsey, Joy & Emily Champion at Trigg County High School Gymnasium at 1:00 PM Sunday, November 2, 2014 with the Brother Randall Evans, Brother Paul Cannon, Larry Kemp & Nathan Butler officiating. A visitation will also be held before the funeral service, Sunday, from 7:00 AM until the time of the service.
Burial will follow at Lawrence Cemetery in Trigg Co., KY.
Memorial Contributions can be made to: Cadiz Church of Christ, 2000 Main Street, Cadiz, KY 42211 or the TCHS class of 2001 Champion Scholarship Fund, C/O-Bank of Cadiz, PO Box 2020, Cadiz, KY 42211.
In the early afternoon of Sunday, 26 Oct 2014, a horrific event occurred in the Champion home. This story has been all over the news and in the newspapers. I do not want to take away from any story that was reported or printed, but I want to summarize the entire event that I have followed closely.
It was first reported that Vito Riservato murdered the Champion family that he apparently just met the night, or week before depending on what story you believed.
The only survivor, Ryan Champion, who was tied up according to the first story, "turned the tables" on Vito and got away unharmed. Ryan posted from Trigg County Hospital that he was ok and would be in the hospital for a while, but he was released without injury.
Ryan then did so many interviews and showed no emotion. He changed the story about him being tied up and then it was that Vito burst into the home and opened fire.
On Oct 28, Vito's roommate stated in an interview that
Vito had stated that "somebody told him that he would pay him a certain amount of money, like an extreme amount of money to kill somebody." But she didn't believe that he was capable of this crime. New Channel 4 WSMV source.
On Oct 29 the Kentucky State Police released that the 4 victims died of multiple gun shot wounds.
The Cadiz Record also interviewed and release this on 29 Oct: Ryan stated, "he said he understands how his calmness might be unnerving to some people, but he said it's a conscious effort on his part to stay composed – for the benefit of remaining family members and as a tribute to his father."
There were no new details released on 30 Oct 2014. It was too quiet.
On 31 Oct 2014, Ryan Champion was arrested and charged with 4 counts of capital murder and one count of capital kidnapping.
12 Nov 2014, Ryan Champion's charges were changed to three counts complicity to murder, one count of murder and one count of complicity to kidnapping. It is now believed that Ryan Champion and Vito Riservato were working together to kill the family. No motive has been released, but the prosecutor is confident they know Ryan's motive. Champion is set to be arraigned on his new charges on 10 Dec 2014.
On January 27, 2017 Ryan Champion, the adopted son of Lindsey and Joy Champion, was sentenced to four terms of life without parole. He is serving this time at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex. This sentence followed his guilty plea from December 2016.
Rest in peace. Justice for the Champion Family.
Written by: Brandy Wells Murray
_________________________
Goodwin Fuenral Home obit:
Boyd Lindsey Champion, age 62, of Cadiz, KY, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2014, along with his wife, Joy & daughter, Emily at their home in Cadiz, KY.
Mr. Champion was a 1970 graduate of Trigg Co. High School and a 1974 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a degree in mathematics & business finance. He retired as director of the local Farm Credit Services office in Hopkinsville, KY after 38 years serving the agriculture needs of local farmers in the surrounding counties. Lindsey was awarded the Friend of Agriculture Award at the annual Trigg County Agricultural appreciation dinner in 2013.
He was a member of the Cadiz Church of Christ where he served the church as an Elder, lay speaker & Sunday School teacher. Lindsey was a former board member on the Trigg Co. Board of Education. He was a member of the Trigg Co. Cattlemen's Association & local motorcycle riding club that he & his fellow riders affectionally call the "Ben-Gay Club".
He is survived by: One Son; One Sister; One Brother; Sister-In-Law& Brothers-In-Law; Nieces & Nephews
He was preceded in death by: Parents- Boyd & Doris Tomney Champion, Infant Son- Austin Champion, Father-In-Law & Mother-In-Law- John H. "Happy" Allen, Sr. & Madolen Downs Allen.
Arrangements are being handled by Goodwin Funeral Home, Inc. in Cadiz, KY. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the Trigg County High School Gymnasium.
A Joint Funeral Service will be held for Lindsey, Joy & Emily Champion at Trigg County High School Gymnasium at 1:00 PM Sunday, November 2, 2014 with the Brother Randall Evans, Brother Paul Cannon, Larry Kemp & Nathan Butler officiating. A visitation will also be held before the funeral service, Sunday, from 7:00 AM until the time of the service.
Burial will follow at Lawrence Cemetery in Trigg Co., KY.
Memorial Contributions can be made to: Cadiz Church of Christ, 2000 Main Street, Cadiz, KY 42211 or the TCHS class of 2001 Champion Scholarship Fund, C/O-Bank of Cadiz, PO Box 2020, Cadiz, KY 42211.
It was first reported that Vito Riservato murdered the Champion family that he apparently just met the night, or week before depending on what story you believed.
The only survivor, Ryan Champion, who was tied up according to the first story, "turned the tables" on Vito and got away unharmed. Ryan posted from Trigg County Hospital that he was ok and would be in the hospital for a while, but he was released without injury.
Ryan then did so many interviews and showed no emotion. He changed the story about him being tied up and then it was that Vito burst into the home and opened fire.
On Oct 28, Vito's roommate stated in an interview that
Vito had stated that "somebody told him that he would pay him a certain amount of money, like an extreme amount of money to kill somebody." But she didn't believe that he was capable of this crime. New Channel 4 WSMV source.
On Oct 29 the Kentucky State Police released that the 4 victims died of multiple gun shot wounds.
The Cadiz Record also interviewed and release this on 29 Oct: Ryan stated, "he said he understands how his calmness might be unnerving to some people, but he said it's a conscious effort on his part to stay composed – for the benefit of remaining family members and as a tribute to his father."
There were no new details released on 30 Oct 2014. It was too quiet.
On 31 Oct 2014, Ryan Champion was arrested and charged with 4 counts of capital murder and one count of capital kidnapping.
12 Nov 2014, Ryan Champion's charges were changed to three counts complicity to murder, one count of murder and one count of complicity to kidnapping. It is now believed that Ryan Champion and Vito Riservato were working together to kill the family. No motive has been released, but the prosecutor is confident they know Ryan's motive. Champion is set to be arraigned on his new charges on 10 Dec 2014.
On January 27, 2017 Ryan Champion, the adopted son of Lindsey and Joy Champion, was sentenced to four terms of life without parole. He is serving this time at Eastern Kentucky Correctional Complex. This sentence followed his guilty plea from December 2016.
Rest in peace. Justice for the Champion Family.
Written by: Brandy Wells Murray
_________________________
Goodwin Fuenral Home obit:
Boyd Lindsey Champion, age 62, of Cadiz, KY, passed away Sunday, October 26, 2014, along with his wife, Joy & daughter, Emily at their home in Cadiz, KY.
Mr. Champion was a 1970 graduate of Trigg Co. High School and a 1974 graduate of Western Kentucky University with a degree in mathematics & business finance. He retired as director of the local Farm Credit Services office in Hopkinsville, KY after 38 years serving the agriculture needs of local farmers in the surrounding counties. Lindsey was awarded the Friend of Agriculture Award at the annual Trigg County Agricultural appreciation dinner in 2013.
He was a member of the Cadiz Church of Christ where he served the church as an Elder, lay speaker & Sunday School teacher. Lindsey was a former board member on the Trigg Co. Board of Education. He was a member of the Trigg Co. Cattlemen's Association & local motorcycle riding club that he & his fellow riders affectionally call the "Ben-Gay Club".
He is survived by: One Son; One Sister; One Brother; Sister-In-Law& Brothers-In-Law; Nieces & Nephews
He was preceded in death by: Parents- Boyd & Doris Tomney Champion, Infant Son- Austin Champion, Father-In-Law & Mother-In-Law- John H. "Happy" Allen, Sr. & Madolen Downs Allen.
Arrangements are being handled by Goodwin Funeral Home, Inc. in Cadiz, KY. The family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the Trigg County High School Gymnasium.
A Joint Funeral Service will be held for Lindsey, Joy & Emily Champion at Trigg County High School Gymnasium at 1:00 PM Sunday, November 2, 2014 with the Brother Randall Evans, Brother Paul Cannon, Larry Kemp & Nathan Butler officiating. A visitation will also be held before the funeral service, Sunday, from 7:00 AM until the time of the service.
Burial will follow at Lawrence Cemetery in Trigg Co., KY.
Memorial Contributions can be made to: Cadiz Church of Christ, 2000 Main Street, Cadiz, KY 42211 or the TCHS class of 2001 Champion Scholarship Fund, C/O-Bank of Cadiz, PO Box 2020, Cadiz, KY 42211.
