Georgia coach surrendered
After walking into a police station in Maryland, a Georgia high school football coach has been placed under arrest for confessing to strangling his girlfriend to death.
The Prince George’s County Police Department reported that 43-year-old Carl Kearney Jr. entered one of their stations on Saturday morning, Feb. 17, and informed officers that he had strangled his girlfriend inside her Accokeek, Maryland home earlier that day.
Responding officers conducted a welfare check at the home and discovered the girlfriend, Patrina Best, 38, unresponsive.
Officials pronounced her dead at the scene. Notably, the residence where the incident occurred belongs to Best’s parents, and she was a graduate of Georgia Southern University who worked as a traveling nurse.
Described by her family as a “fun-loving, warm-hearted person” who effortlessly made friends wherever she went, Patrina Best’s vibrant presence touched the lives of many.
Born into a U.S. Navy family, Best had the opportunity to experience various cultures worldwide before settling in Georgia for high school and pursuing a nursing degree.
The Best family fondly remembers Patrina as a constant source of joy and laughter, always present for every celebration and cherished moment.
They expressed deep sorrow over her tragic passing, emphasizing that she was a remarkable individual in every aspect of her life.
Patrina leaves behind her parents, her beloved older sister Gianina Best, her brother-in-law, and adoring niece and nephew who held her in the highest regard as their “Tita.” Additionally, she leaves behind her cherished dog, Luke, who accompanied her on her journeys as a travel nurse.
The family’s grief is compounded by the tragic circumstances of Patrina’s death, as Kearny allegedly confessed to detectives that he strangled her during an argument.
According to a statement from the Prince George’s County Police Department, Kearney admitted to strangling the victim during an argument in an interview with Homicide Unit detectives.
Subsequently, Kearney is now facing charges of both first and second-degree murder.
Identified by parents and students from Spalding County High School in Griffin as the school’s varsity football coach, Kearney’s arrest came as a shock to many.
Camri Johnson, who served as a football manager for three years at Spalding County High, expressed disbelief upon hearing the news, stating, “I thought people were playing because it was such a shocker for me.”
Johnson remarked that the news of her former teacher and football coach being arrested and charged with murder contradicts the person she knows him to be.
Lariquia McCord, whose son played football under Kearney’s guidance for three years, described him as a father figure to his players.
Despite the shock of the situation, McCord acknowledged Kearney’s accountability for his actions, stating, “He’s just been a stand-up guy, and even with this situation, I still see him as a stand-up guy for turning himself in.”
She praised his demonstration of accountability and responsibility.
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