A veterinarian in South Carolina is facing serious charges after being accused of fatally shooting her husband at their home during the weekend. Authorities say the couple had been struggling with marital issues for some time.
Jennifer Kerri Ray was arrested on Sunday and charged with murder and possessing a weapon during a violent crime in the death of her husband, Greg Baughman. The Aiken County Sheriff’s Office says they responded to a shooting call around 5 p.m. on December 1, 2024, at a house on Prides Crossing in Aiken, South Carolina, near the Georgia border.
When deputies arrived, they found Ray walking from the backyard to the front yard of the home. She was immediately handcuffed and placed in the back of a patrol car. Inside the house, they discovered Baughman lying on the floor with multiple gunshot wounds. Investigators found several spent bullet casings near his body, along with a handgun left on the kitchen counter.
The Aiken County Coroner’s Office pronounced Baughman dead at 6:30 p.m. His autopsy is scheduled to be performed in Newberry, South Carolina.
According to an arrest warrant, Ray allegedly acted “knowingly and with intent to kill” when she shot her husband multiple times in the back and again while he was lying on the floor. The exact motive remains unclear, but court records show the couple had been separated for a few months, and Baughman had recently filed for divorce.
Court documents reveal that the couple initially separated on August 29, 2024. On October 25, Baughman filed for legal separation, asking the court to prevent both parties from selling or hiding any marital assets. He also requested a “no adverse contact” order. These documents were reportedly served to Ray on November 9.
During her court appearance on Monday, Ray’s attorney claimed she had been a victim of domestic abuse and was even hospitalized last month due to injuries caused by her husband. However, Ray allegedly didn’t press charges at the time because her husband was a Marine, and she worried the allegations could harm his career.
The couple co-owned Hitchcock Animal Hospital in Aiken. Following the incident, the hospital released a statement expressing shock and sadness over the tragedy.
Ray is prohibited from contacting Baughman’s family and is currently being held without bond. Her next court date is set for March 14, 2025.
This tragic case has left the community of Aiken shaken, with many trying to piece together what led to such a devastating event.
