Where is Kevin Parker today?

In October 2016, police responded to reports of shots fired in Wardsboro, Vermont, a quiet, peaceful community where such crimes were virtually unheard of. Arriving on scene, authorities discovered that Kirby Staib had been shot near his home. As investigators spoke with Kirby’s parents and girlfriend, it quickly became apparent that the situation was much more complex than it initially appeared. The details of the case, as well as the evidence that helped identify the perpetrator, are explored in the ID episode of “Fear Thy Neighbor” titled “Cold Blood Country.”

Kirby Staib was shot outside the home he shared with his parents

Kirby Robert “Kirb” Staib was born on August 11, 1974, to Donald and Joan Staib. With a brother as his childhood companion, he grew up surrounded by immense love and care in Wardsboro, Vermont. After graduating from Leland & Gray High School in 1993, Kirby began working at Stratton Mountain Ski Area before landing a position as an equipment specialist with the State Highway Department. Vermont. Known for his strong work ethic and diligence, he always prioritized his responsibilities and took pride in his work. When an opportunity arose to work as a general contractor in the Wardsboro area, he took it wholeheartedly.

Given his parents’ ages, Kirby decided it was best to move in with them to provide support. The family settled into their Gilfeather Road home and when he began dating Laurie Gallagher, she moved in with them as well, creating a sense of stability and contentment in his life. However, that tranquility was shattered on the afternoon of October 18, 2016. Around 4 p.m., police responded to reports of shots fired near Kirby’s home. When they arrived, they found Laurie sitting next to him and he had been seriously injured. Before medical help arrived, he was already dead.

Kirby Staib’s family says his killer was hostile for a long time

Police began speaking with Kirby’s loved ones to piece together what happened. The first name mentioned by his family was that of their neighbor, Kevin Parker. They explained that when Kevin moved to the neighboring property, he and Kirby were friends who often went boating and fishing together. He even parked some of his trucks on Kevin’s property without problem. However, their relationship began to deteriorate after an incident in which the alarm on one of his vehicles went off late at night. Kevin, allegedly angry, confronted Kirby, demanding that he immediately remove the trucks from his property, which marked the start of their strained relationship.

Kirby’s family said tensions with Kevin gradually escalated after the initial conflict. The latter quickly built a boundary around his property using rocks, preventing Kirby from accessing the area to park his vehicles. Following this, he allegedly began complaining about Kirby’s horse, Pete, who occasionally strayed into neighboring properties. According to the family, the situation took a darker turn one night after Kevin expressed frustration that Pete had left feces on his lawn. They claimed to later discover dead animal carcasses on their property, which they strongly suspected was the work of Kevin. Although these incidents were reported to the police, at the time there was no substantial evidence or grievance serious enough to warrant action.

Kirby Staib’s killer called police himself, claimed self-defense

Laurie Gallagher shared that the family, tired of the ongoing tension, decided to take a short trip to escape the daily stress. However, when they returned, they were shocked to discover around 80 bullet holes in their roof. They immediately contacted the police and accused Kevin Parker of being responsible, but there was no evidence to support their claim. Laurie also recounted an incident in which Kirby Staib confronted Kevin about gunshots nearby because it was bothering his elderly mother. She alleged that during the confrontation, he shot Kirby but missed each time. Although the police became involved again, he denied any involvement and no charges were brought against him.

Laurie said that on the afternoon of October 18, 2016, she and Kirby’s mother were sitting in the living room when they heard gunshots. At first, they considered the noise insignificant. However, the sound of a neighbor screaming and approaching police sirens prompted Laurie to rush outside, where she discovered that Kirby had been fatally shot. She immediately reported her suspicions to the police, pointing out their neighbor, Kevin. After investigation, the police found him barricaded inside his house. Surprisingly, he was the one who called the police, claiming he fired in self-defense after Kirby allegedly confronted him with a gun. He eventually surrendered and was taken into custody.

Kevin Parker is now living his life as a free man

After his arrest in 2016, Kevin Parker was released on bail while awaiting trial. However, due to delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and other factors, the trial did not begin until 2023. By that time, both of Kirby Staib’s parents had died. During the trial, prosecutors argued that the bullets recovered at the scene all came from Kevin’s gun and presented no evidence to suggest Kirby acted in a hostile or threatening manner. Despite this, Kevin’s defense team maintained his right to self-defense. The jury quickly returned a not guilty verdict and he was acquitted. Shortly after, he left the area and now leads a private and discreet life.

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