Detectives’ 2018 Homicide Investigation Leads to Murder Conviction
MEDFORD, Ore - The Jackson County District Attorney’s office announced that Kevin Dean Hicks Sr., 56, of rural Central Point, was sentenced yesterday after being found guilty by a jury of second-degree murder, first-degree arson, and second-degree abuse of a corpse. The Honorable Judge Timothy Barnack sentenced Hicks to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 25 years for second-degree murder; 36 months for first-degree arson to be served consecutively; and 20 days in the Jackson County jail for second-degree abuse of a corpse. Additionally, Hicks is subject to lifetime post-prison supervision if he is ever released.
This conviction stems from a June 30, 2018 call where Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies and Fire District 3 personnel responded to a trailer fire in the 3100 block of McMartin Lane in Sams Valley. Upon arrival, deputies arrested Hicks on scene and JCSO detectives began their investigation along with the multi-agency Major Assault and Death Investigation Unit (MADIU) and fire investigators.
Information on the case and trial from DA’s office:
Hicks was convicted for his role in the murder of his estranged wife, Tammy Hicks. The two had been living apart due to a prior domestic violence incident in October of 2017 wherein Mr. Hicks was convicted of Felony Assault in the Fourth Degree against Ms. Hicks. On June 30, 2018, Ms. Hicks went to discuss an ongoing tax issue with the defendant. While at their RV the Defendant strangled her to death and then lit the RV on fire, abusing her corpse in the process. The fire quickly spread to adjacent trailers, sheds, and land before being knocked down and put out by local fire personnel.
Two of the victim’s surviving children and her adult brother spoke at sentencing. Both children discussed how the murder of their mother has impacted them on a daily basis. The children told the Court that Tammy was a devoted mother who went out of her way to show the kids she loved them on a daily basis. “She gave the best hugs in the world…She would have done anything for us. She lost her life to free us from (Defendant’s) grasp.”
Following the request of the family and prosecutors, Judge Barnack ran Mr. Hick’s sentences consecutive to one another. The victims have requested that the media not release their name, for the purposes of maintaining privacy. Mr. Hicks was indicted by a Jackson County Grand Jury on July 5, 2018. He has remained lodged in the Jackson County jail since June 30, 2018. The case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorneys Zori Cook and Ben Lull.
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