Georgia High School Football Coach Charged with Murder of Girlfriend in Maryland

In Accokeek, Maryland, the Prince George’s County Police Department’s Homicide Unit has charged a suspect in connection with the murder of his girlfriend. The suspect, identified as 43-year-old Carl Kearney, Jr. from Griffin, Georgia, is accused of killing 38-year-old Patrina Best of Accokeek.

Kearney, who serves as the head football coach at Spalding High School in Griffin, Georgia, walked into the Division V Clinton police station around 9:20 am on February 17, 2024. He informed officers that he had strangled his girlfriend earlier that morning inside her home on the 800 block of St. James Court in Accokeek. Patrol officers responded to the scene and found the victim unresponsive. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

During questioning by Homicide Unit detectives, Kearney admitted to strangling the victim during an argument. He now faces charges of first and second-degree murder along with related charges and is currently in custody with the Department of Corrections.

Authorities are urging anyone with information on the case to contact the Homicide Unit at 301-516-2512 or Crime Solvers anonymously through their website, the “P3 Tips” mobile app, or by calling 1-866-411-TIPS (8477) and referencing case number 24-0010020.