Rogers, AR – A woman and her boyfriend face first-degree murder charges for the fatal shooting of her ex-husband. Amanda Penny, 40, and Michael Hogue, 51, were taken into custody this week, according to a statement from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.
The incident occurred on July 11, when deputies responded to reports of a shooting along Highway 12. They found Kevin Nikel, a former WWE wrestler, with a gunshot wound to the stomach.
U.S. Marshal Service agents arrested Hogue in Fort Smith and Penny in Rogers. Nikel was the primary caregiver of the couple’s son, a situation that allegedly led to conflict following recent custody disputes.
Court documents revealed a prior court order limited Hogue’s contact with Nikel’s child. Additionally, Nikel was to maintain primary custody until Penny passed a required drug test, which she had not yet completed as of the day of the shooting.
Nikel’s mother was awarded custody of her grandson earlier this year. She expressed confusion over the circumstances surrounding her son’s death, stating she has many unanswered questions.
Reports indicate an argument occurred between Hogue and Nikel, possibly initiated through text messages. The nature of the confrontation remains under investigation as both defendants remain in the Benton County Jail without bond. Their initial court appearances have not yet been scheduled.