Husband Kills Wife, Burns Down Trailer: Sheriff

CENTRAL POINT, OR — Kevin Dean Hicks, Sr., was arrested in October 2017 for assaulting his wife. In February, Tammy Raye Hicks filed for divorce. Last Saturday, after allegedly setting Tammy's home on fire while she was still inside, Kevin was arrested for murder.

Kevin Hicks, 52, is being held at Jackson County Jail. He is charged with murder, assault, and abuse of a corpse. He is not eligible for bail.

Jackson County Fire District #3 firefighters were dispatched to a residential fire in the 3100-block of McMartin Lane, north of Medford, just after 3 p.m. June 30. The person who called 911, whom police did not identify, told dispatchers a woman was inside the trailer — which was fully engulfed in flames when crews arrived.

Kevin Hicks was arrested at the scene of the fire shortly after Jackson County Sheriff's deputies arrived.

At this time law enforcement officials have only presumptively identified Tammy as the victim. According to JCSO spokeswoman Sgt. Julie Denney, "Investigators with the Jackson County medical examiner’s office …will likely need to rely on dental records or DNA comparisons to make a conclusive identification. An autopsy will take place later this week."

Kevin and Tammy reportedly separated after their domestic altercation Oct. 15, 2017. According to court documents obtained by Patch, Tammy accused Kevin of slapping her in the face in front of their four children. The next day Kevin was arrested again after he reportedly confronted Tammy, in direct violation of his jail release agreement.

Tammy stated at the time that she was worried about Kevin's anger issues.

Not even a month prior to these incidents, on Aug. 25, Kevin Hicks was arrested for allegedly assaulting another man.

Hicks was convicted in the case against Tammy in April 2018. The other case is still open, with a trial date set for this August.

In February, however, Tammy also filed for divorce, citing domestic abuse as a primary reason. She had reportedly already gotten temporary custody of their kids — none of whom were present during the incident June 30.

Tammy's family on Monday started a GoFundMe campaign to help the Hicks kids during this tragic time.

To help support Dean, 16, Elizabeth, 14, Megan, 13, and Jacob, 10, Tammy's family set a goal of $50,000. In one day, 186 people raised more than $15,000.

"The kids were left with no real assets to assist them and are in tremendous need. Please, let's all come together and flood them with a massive wave of support and blessings that will make a difference for them during such a dreadful and trying time," Autumn-Cody Nelson wrote. "With the funds raised by you and regulated by their grandparents, these children can keep what ever pieces of their lives that they still have intact."

To make a donation, visit the GoFundMe campaign here.

Kevin Hicks' next court date is July 10. This post will be updated.

Image via Jackson County Sheriff's Office

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