The family and friends of 71-year-old Keith Andrew Jones are preparing to hold memorial services in North Augusta on Thursday following his involvement in a tragic murder-suicide last week.
Aiken County authorities report that Jones killed his girlfriend, Kathy Hydrick, at his home on Walnut Court last Thursday before taking his own life. The motive for the incident has not yet been disclosed.
An obituary published this week sheds light on Jones’ life. During high school, Jones worked with his mom and dad at People’s Drug Store. He served his country in the U.S. Marine Corps. Jones retired from a career with Bell South after 31 years. Jones was an avid Gamecocks fan and enjoyed shrimping, fishing, hunting and watching golf, his obituary says.
Jones is survived by his daughter, sister, four grandchildren, and other relatives.
Meanwhile, the family of his victim, Kathy Hydrick, was scheduled to hold a visitation Wednesday evening at Hatcher Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Graniteville.
Hydrick, a 1974 graduate of North Augusta High School, went on to earn a nursing degree from Augusta Technical College. She worked as a licensed practical nurse in various healthcare facilities in the Augusta area.
