48 Hours: The Girl Next Door - Who is Tracey Grissom and what do we know about her crimes? Details from the true crime episode, explored

48 Hours featured an extremely troubling case in The Girl Next Door episode.

The story centers on Tracey Grissom, a young mother, who shot and killed her ex-husband, Hunter Grissom, in 2012. The case raised serious questions about self-defense and domestic violence. Tracey claimed years of abuse led to the tragic shooting. Hunter's family disputed her whole account. They insisted she killed him in cold blood.

The former couple got married in 2004 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Tracey described their wedding as a joyful day. They seemed like any other newlywed couple, starting their lives together. Hunter had a son from a previous relationship. In 2019 they welcomed their daughter, Anna Grace, after Tracey endured five miscarriages. The couple even started Grissom Construction together. The business was registered in Tracey's name, but the marriage took a dark turn in July 2010.

Who is Tracey Grissom and what did she do?

Tracey is a young mother who was sentenced after she was proven guilty of fatally shooting her ex-husband.

Tracey filed for divorce after finding drugs in Hunter's truck. She claimed the abuse started during their divorce proceedings. According to Tracey, Hunter began beating her regularly.

She documented one incident with a picture taken on November 23 in 2010. The image displayed visible injuries to her head and face. Tracey said Hunter raped her, beat her and threw her against a bathtub. She was terrified every day and purchased a gun for protection. She carried it everywhere she went.

On May 15, 2012, everything changed. Tracey was driving to a job interview that morning. She found Hunter's truck at Binion Creek Boat Landing and pulled into the parking lot. She planned to photograph the car. She wanted proof. She parked behind the vehicle and raised her camera, and Hunter saw her and later approached her car.

How did Hunter Grissom die?

Tracey claimed that she heard a click and he next moment Hunter was face down on the ground. She had emptied her gun with six shots fired at him. Four bullets hit Hunter. One bullet hit his shoulder and another struck his forearm.

Two bullets entered his back, and Tracey immediately called 911 and told the operator she could take it no more. Cops arrested her at the scene. She was later charged with murder.

Also See: 48 Hours: Who was Robin Warr Lawrence and what happened to her? Disturbing details of the 1994 case, revisited

Did Tracey act in self-defense?

Tracey maintained she acted in self-defense. She described years of sexual and physical abuse. The photographic evidence supported some of her statements.

But Hunter's family disagreed. His mother, Melanie Garner, called Tracey borderline demonic. Hunter's aunt, Gina Prisock, also spoke out. They insisted Tracey fabricated the whole abuse story. The family believed she committed a cold-blooded murder.

Also See: 48 Hours: How genetic genealogy helped to catch Robin Warr Lawrence's killer almost 30 years after her murder

What did Tracey tell 48 Hours?

More than two years after her arrest, Tracey spoke exclusively with 48 Hours journalist Erin Moriarty. She recounted her version of events and described the terror that dominated her life. She explained why she took a gun. She explained the moments leading to Hunter's demise. The interview became a central piece of the episode.

Audiences watched Tracey tell her tale directly to the camera. The 48 Hours episode presented different sides of this controversial case. It explored domestic violence allegations and self defense claims. The program examined witness testimonies and physical evidence.

Tracey Grissom's case raised complex questions about justice and abuse. The true crime episode left audiences to weigh the evidence themselves.

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The 48 Hours episode captured a complicated case involving domestic violence claims, the family's grief and self-defense arguments.

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