Sisters killed in Logan County

Published 12:00 am Saturday, February 9, 2002

Jessica and Hanna Key were opposites, but the two sisters worked together and often stayed together. Today their family is mourning them together. The two were shot to death early Saturday morning, and Hanna Keys boyfriend, Derrick Loving, 22, of Hopkinsville, is accused of the slayings. They were totally out there, Brenda Key said today of her two daughters. Hanna was quiet, shy and laid back. Jessie was full of energy. She was going to go to (Kentucky State University) in January. She just wanted to go and see what she could do. She wanted to be a physical therapist. Both women Jessica, 18, and Hanna, 22 were standout athletes in basketball and track and field at Russellville High School. The athleticism runs in the family. Otis Key is a former Harlem Globetrotter and now ambassador for the team. Tony Key plays basketball in Los Angeles and Thaddaeus Key plays at Kentucky Wesleyan in Owensboro. Brenda Key said Jessica wasnt planning on playing sports for the first year away at college. She was thinking about walking on after the first year, she said. Jessica Key was going to turn in her resignation in about a week at Electrolux in Springfield, Tenn., where she, her sister and Loving worked. Brenda Key hasnt made funeral arrangements for her daughters and isnt ready to talk about what might have happened to prompt the shootings. Police also arent clear on what lead up to the shootings outside Hanna Keys home at 463 E. Sixth St.Neighbors heard the gunshots that occurred on the front lawn and two witnesses gave descriptions that lead police to Loving, according to Russellville Police Detective Kenneth Edmonds. A man fitting Lovings description told one of the neighbors to call police as he was leaving the scene shortly after 1 a.m. Saturday. While Loving stayed frequently at Hanna Keys home, his family lives in Christian County. Relatives told Edmonds that Loving would turn himself in, which he did at about 6 p.m. Saturday. He didnt make a comment when asked why did he do it, Edmonds said. He didnt get along very well with the younger sister. Edmonds said Loving admitted to the shootings. He shot the younger sister first and then he turned to the older sister and she said to him, What did you do that for? and he shot her, but he doesnt really remember doing it, Edmonds said. Both women were shot twice, according to an autopsy performed Saturday. After his questioning and arrest in Russellville, Loving, who is charged with two counts of first-degree murder, was taken to Christian County Jail where he remains on no bond. Edmonds said the move was for security reasons and because the Logan County Jail was crowded. For now, Brenda Key is caring for Hanna Keys two young children a 2-year-old and a 4-month old. The youngest is the child of the man accused of killing Hanna and her sister. They were my heart, Brenda Key said of her daughters. Im thankful for all the support Ive gotten.

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