Matthew Konen (Clarksville Police Department).
A Tennessee man who claimed that he beat his father-in-law to death after the man fatally shot his wife was indicted by a grand jury on two charges of first-degree murder.
In a post on Facebook, the Clarksville Police Department announced that a grand jury indicted Matthew Konen, 35, in connection with the 2021 deaths of his wife, 30-year-old Rachel Konen, and his father-in-law, 62-year-old David Rodgers. Matthew Konen had been charged with the double murder in 2021, but the charges were dropped by the Nashville District Attorney in 2023, according to local NBC affiliate WSMV.
However, District Attorney General Robert Nash told WSMV at the time that if investigators were to develop “proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the charges may be reinstituted by way of the Grand Jury process.”
On Jan. 20, 2021, Matthew Konen called 911 to report that he had allegedly beaten Rodgers to death because Rodgers had shot Rachel Konen, according to local news outlet ClarksvilleNow.com. Matthew Konen reportedly told dispatchers that he “pistol-whipped” Rodgers because he feared for his own life.
Matthew Konen can reportedly be heard on the 911 call screaming, “My father-in-law just shot my wife,” and explaining to dispatchers that in self-defense, he “incapacitated him and took the weapon away.” He reportedly told dispatchers that Rodgers was “unconscious.”
At the time, Matthew Konen was employed as a paramedic with the Nashville Fire Department. He reportedly informed dispatchers that Rachel Konen was “agonally breathing” and that he was going to get his paramedic bag out of his car to provide aid for her.
Neither Rodgers nor Rachel Konen survived their injuries. Matthew Konen was eventually arrested and charged with their murders. In June 2021, he pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.
But the Nashville DA filed a nolle prosequi in October 2023, dropping the charges against Matthew Konen unless a grand jury was presented with enough evidence for an indictment.
On Wednesday, a grand jury indicted Matthew Konen on two counts of first-degree murder. The Clarksville Police Department noted in their statement that the indictment was sealed and that they would not be releasing further information.
Matthew Konen was taken into custody on Tuesday and is being held on $1 million bond at the Montgomery County Jail.
