Kyser Miree, 2009 Vanderbilt Grad, Mourned, Praised by Father After Apparent Murder
NEW YORK (CBS) Kyser Miree, a recent graduate of Vanderbilt University, had moved to Mobile, Ala. for a job with Chevron Corp., on the cusp of a promising future.
No one could imagine the life he worked so hard to build was about to be cut short by what police believe was a homicide.
CBS News' Crimesider spoke with his heartbroken father, Ben Miree, on the phone Tuesday.
Ben Miree's world came to a halt Friday, April 16, when he received news his son, Kyser, was shot in the back of the head, and found on the floor of his living room in his home in Mobile. He said that Kyser's good friend and roommate, Curtis Wright, came home that night around 11pm, because his sister, who was Kyser's girlfriend, called and said Kyser wasn't returning her text messages.
The 23-year-old was pronounced dead Saturday at the University of South Alabama Medical Center.
The devastated father told Crimesider he doesn't know much about the crime scene, but appreciates the efforts police and investigators are making. Ben Miree told Crimesider that everyone who knew Kyser liked him, and he can't think of anyone that would do this to his son.
He does not believe Kyser's roommate Curtis Wright was involved in any way, saying, "I think Curtis is as devastated as the rest of us. He and Kyser were very close."
Ben Miree said of his son, "When Kyser walked in the room he was not loud, not overbearing. He was a leader but his leadership was by having deed follow his word and by the way he treated people."
The sad father spoke about the relationship his 21-year-old son Harry Miree had with Kyser. He said, "Harry had a very special relationship with his brother. He would say things like, 'You're going to be an awesome uncle.' They were planning their careers and their families."
Harry Miree has a blog where he wrote a letter to family and friends about his older brother. It reads, "My heart writhes in anguish over the senseless murder of the most peaceful and chipper man this world has ever seen."
Kyser Miree was the President of Pi Tau Sigma, a Mechanical Engineering Honor Society, Vice President of Vanderbilt Aerospace Club, and President of Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, hiking and skiing.
The Miree's said Chevron arranged bus service for mourners to attend the funeral for their son. A memorial service was held Tuesday at the Independent Presbyterian Church in Birmingham, Ala. Ben Miree said, "The town is full and the church will be overflowing."
The board of The Altamont School, Kyser's high school, announced it is planning for a Kyser Miree Ethical Leader Center.
Asked if he had any advice for Kyser's friends and family, Ben Miree said, "They need to ask themselves, what would Kyser have done? If Kyser wouldn't have done it, don't do it."
Anyone with any information on the case should contact the Mobile Police Department at 251-208-1754.
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