The Hockensmith family, consisting of parents Michael and Angela "Angie" Hockensmith, operated the ABC Gold, Games & More pawn shop in Danville, Kentucky. They homeschooled their 9-year-old son, Andrew, and cared for their infant daughter, Naomi, who often accompanied them to the shop. Michael, a former Youth Pastor, and Angie, an active member of the singing ministry, had moved to Danville in 2013 after getting married nearly a decade earlier.

Michael's mother, Barbara Hockensmith, mentioned that he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to his family, church, and work. Despite his part-time role at the church, Michael became a partner at the pawn shop owned by Steve Divine. However, tragedy struck on September 20, 2013, when a man entered the shop and committed a chilling triple homicide, as witnessed by young Andrew.

Police narrow in on Kenneth Allen Keith

For his offenses, Keith faced a potential death penalty. However, in an effort to spare the families of the victims from a lengthy trial, prosecutors proposed a plea deal, which Keith agreed to: life imprisonment without the possibility of parole in exchange for pleading guilty to the murders.