According to police, a former stagehand for country star Randy Travis was shot and killed by his wife on Sunday because she believed he was having an affair.
Police arrested Christine Ann Roberts, 72, after she allegedly fatally shot her husband Thomas Roberts, 68, in the chest around 8 p.m. on the front porch of their Howard Avenue home in Nashville. according to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department.
According to officers on the scene, Christine Roberts “made offhand statements that she had shot her husband because he had cheated on her,” the arrest affidavit says.
A neighbor who allegedly heard the shots called 911 after finding Thomas Roberts lying in the yard, according to the arrest affidavit.
The neighbor “informed detectives that the defendant had also told them that she admitted to shooting her husband because she discovered that he had cheated on her,” the arrest affidavit says.
Christine Roberts did not make any statements to police about self-defense, according to the arrest affidavit.
Thomas Roberts was pronounced dead at the scene, the arrest affidavit says.
A rep for Travis confirmed to NBC News that Thomas Roberts worked with the musician for about 20 years as a stagehand, until Travis suffered a stroke in 2013.
The Grammy Award-winning singer recalled Thomas Roberts, who also went by Thom, in a Facebook post Monday night.
“The stage has darkened with the passing of Thom Roberts,” the publication said, describing him as “one of the best stage lighting technicians in the business.”
“Thom not only had a magical sense for lighting up a set, but he also had a calm and charismatic presence that set your soul on fire,” the post said.
“He was a gentle giant of a man who wore a constant smile on his face and carried a song in his heart,” he continued. “One would search a lifetime to find a kinder, gentler spirit. Thom was my friend and he loved him very much.”
Travis said that when his band resumes shows, “the music won’t be as sweet, but I will remember once again what a blessing it was to have Thom Roberts on the road with us for so many miles and so many memories.”
“It certainly won’t be the same; and I know I speak for the entire band and crew when I say the light it truly created, in our hearts, will never be extinguished or forgotten,” the Facebook post read.
“Tonight, I’ll look up to the sky and I’m sure I’ll see glimpses of Thom’s handiwork in the night sky, letting us know he’s home and all is well,” he concluded.
Christine Roberts’ attorney, Jason Chaffin, of the Metropolitan Public Defender’s Office, said he had not yet met with his client as of Tuesday morning and would meet with her later that day. He declined to comment further.
She is due to appear in court on Wednesday, according to court records, which show her bond was set at $100,000.
Diana Dasrath and bailey howell contributed.
