“Dangerous Secret”: Dateline Reports on Brad McGarry Homicide February 1 2025

This Saturday, February 1, 2025, Dateline NBC presents “Dangerous Secret,” an in-depth investigation into the shocking murder of Brad McGarry, a well-liked coal miner from Bellaire, Ohio. The episode, reported by Dennis Murphy, examines how a seemingly peaceful life was shattered by betrayal and hidden truths.

McGarry, a 43-year-old openly gay man, was found shot to death in the basement of his home. The discovery left his close-knit community reeling, but as investigators probed into his life, they uncovered a web of secrets that led them to an unexpected suspect. The case would ultimately reveal a deadly affair, a desperate cover-up, and a tragic end to a friendship that had spanned years.

The Discovery of a Crime Scene

On May 7, 2017, McGarry’s best friend, David Kinney, his wife Cheri, and their young daughter arrived at McGarry’s home to drop off a weed whacker. They found the front door slightly open and, upon entering, discovered a horrifying scene. McGarry lay lifeless in his basement, shot twice in the back of the head.

Panic and grief gripped the Kinney family. In a frantic 911 call, Cheri could be heard screaming, “There’s blood everywhere!” David, visibly shaken, sobbed outside as officers arrived. His raw emotion made it seem as though he was simply a devastated friend who had stumbled upon an unimaginable tragedy. But as investigators took a closer look at McGarry’s life, they began to see inconsistencies that raised suspicion.

A Closer Look at McGarry’s Life and Relationships

McGarry grew up in Lewisville, Ohio, where being openly gay in a conservative town made life challenging. Friends recalled how he faced constant ridicule but never tried to hide who he was. He initially worked as a hairdresser before making an unexpected career shift to coal mining, proving he could handle physical labor just as well as his straight coworkers.

Despite the difficulties, McGarry built a strong support network. One of his closest friendships was with Kinney, a younger married man whom he had met at work. Kinney introduced McGarry to his wife and children, and before long, McGarry was a fixture at the Kinney family’s events, earning the affectionate title of “Uncle Brad.”

But McGarry’s personal life held secrets. Friends knew about an on-and-off relationship with a man named Scotty, whom McGarry had recently separated from. Some believed this breakup could have played a role in his murder, but detectives soon learned that Scotty had been in jail at the time, eliminating him as a suspect.

A Web of Lies Unraveled

As investigators examined McGarry’s home, they noticed signs of a staged break-in. Some rooms were ransacked, but there was no sign of forced entry. This suggested the killer had been someone McGarry knew and trusted.

Detectives soon received a crucial lead from McGarry’s cousin, Schuyler Strawser. She revealed that on the day of his murder, McGarry had told her that a man he called “DJ” was coming over. When pressed for more details, she identified “DJ” as none other than David Kinney.

This revelation changed the course of the investigation. Kinney had never disclosed any romantic involvement with McGarry, yet Strawser claimed the two had been in a long-term secret affair. Investigators needed answers, and they decided to bring Kinney in for questioning.

The Confession That Sealed His Fate

Kinney initially denied having any romantic involvement with McGarry, but investigators uncovered text messages and location data that placed him at McGarry’s home during the time of the murder. Faced with evidence contradicting his alibi, Kinney changed his story multiple times.

First, he claimed there had been a third man present who had shot McGarry and let him go. When that version fell apart, he switched to saying he had acted in self-defense, alleging that McGarry had pulled a gun on him during an argument. However, forensic evidence disproved this claim. The fatal gunshots had been fired from behind, meaning McGarry had been executed, not engaged in a struggle.

Kinney was arrested and charged with murder. Before being led to jail, he was allowed to speak to his wife. In a tearful exchange, he admitted the affair but continued to insist he had killed McGarry out of fear. His wife’s devastation was palpable. Investigators, convinced that Kinney had committed a premeditated act to silence McGarry and protect his double life, moved forward with prosecution.

The Trial and Verdict

In February 2018, Kinney stood trial for the murder of his best friend. Prosecutors presented evidence that McGarry had likely grown tired of being a secret and had threatened to reveal their affair to Kinney’s wife. To prevent his double life from being exposed, Kinney had decided to kill him.

The jury deliberated and ultimately found Kinney guilty of aggravated murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The verdict brought a measure of justice for McGarry’s loved ones, but the pain of his loss remained.

A Community Forever Changed

The murder of Brad McGarry left his friends and family struggling to comprehend how a beloved friend could be killed by someone he trusted. Kinney’s actions destroyed not only his own family but also the people who had once considered him an inseparable part of their lives.

McGarry’s friends remember him for his humor, kindness, and resilience. He had worked hard to live openly and without shame, only to have his life cut short by the very person who claimed to be his closest friend.

As Dateline NBC presents “Dangerous Secret,” viewers will witness a tragic tale of deception, fear, and the deadly consequences of living a double life. The case serves as a reminder that truth, no matter how painful, is always better than a lie—especially one that ends in murder.

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Ryan Gill

Ryan is a passionate follower of true crime television programs, reporting on and providing in-depth investigations on mysteries in the criminal world.

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