A grand jury indicted a man on two counts of first-degree murder for allegedly beating his father-in-law to death after the latter fatally shot his wife.
The Clarksville Police Department announced on Facebook that a grand jury has indicted Matthew Konen, 35, in the deaths of his wife, Rachel Konen, 30, and his father-in-law, David Rodgers, 62, in 2021. Matthew Konen was charged with double murder in 2021, but the Nashville District Attorney dropped the charges in 2023, according to local NBC affiliate WSMV.
However, District Attorney General Robert Nash told WSMV at the time that if investigators developed “proof beyond a reasonable doubt,” the charges could be reinstituted through the Grand Jury process.
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According to ClarksvilleNow.com, Matthew Konen called 911 on January 20, 2021, to report that he had allegedly beaten Rodgers to death after Rodgers shot Rachel Konen. Matthew Konen allegedly told dispatchers that he “pistol-whipped” Rodgers because he feared for his own safety.
Matthew Konen can be heard on the 911 call screaming, “My father-in-law just shot my wife,” and explaining to dispatchers that he “incapacitated him and took the weapon away.” He reportedly informed dispatchers that Rodgers was “unconscious.”
At the time, Matthew Konen worked as a paramedic for the Nashville Fire Department. He reportedly informed dispatchers that Rachel Konen was “agonally breathing” and that he would get his paramedic bag out of his car to help her.
Rodgers and Rachel Konen both died as a result of their injuries. Matthew Konen was eventually arrested and charged with the murders. In June 2021, he pleaded not guilty to the charges filed against him.
However, in October 2023, the Nashville District Attorney filed a nolle prosequi, dropping Matthew Konen’s charges unless a grand jury was presented with sufficient evidence for an indictment.
On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted Matthew Konen for two counts of first-degree murder. The Clarksville Police Department stated that the indictment had been sealed and that no further information would be released.
Matthew Konen was arrested on Tuesday and is being held on a $1 million bond at the Montgomery County Jail.