CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Karen Griffin chooses to hang onto the happy memories of her daughter and grandchildren, despite their tragic deaths.
The last time she saw her daughter, Keara Hazel, 23, and grandchildren, 3-year-old Kaden and 9-month-old Jaylynn, it was on the deck of her Stewart County home, and it was a time filled with love.
On Sept. 13, 2017, Griffin had watched the grandchildren while Keara worked. When Keara came to pick them up, she stayed a few extra minutes to visit. That day, Keara’s father was off work and able to enjoy his family.
“I feel blessed,” she said. “We said our, ‘I love you’s’ and I got extra hugs and kisses that day. ..Keara and her dad got to say their I love you’s. I thank God for that, because they knew we loved them.”
The next day, Keara, Kaden and Jaylynn were murdered in their home by Keara’s husband and the children’s father, Jordan Hazel.
Griffin went to check on them after getting a concerning phone call from Jordan Hazel’s mother. Jordan had a history of domestic violence against Keara during their one year marriage and four year relationship. Griffin said she took the call very seriously and prayed the entire way.
When she arrived at the home, Jordan Hazel eventually opened the door.
“He said, ‘It’s done and it’s over,'” Griffin said. Soon after, Griffin discovered her daughter’s body and later learned her grandchildren were dead as well.
Despite that scene of her daughter being “etched in her mind,” she said she doesn’t let it overshadow the way Keara lived and the beautiful person she was.
Keara was “bubbly, happy-go-lucky and compassionate.” She had an infectious laugh, was empathetic and would listen to and pray for anyone having troubles.
“She was so kind,” Griffin said. “She loved being a mother; it was her world. She was one of the best moms you could imagine.”
Kaden was a sweet little boy with an old soul, Griffin said.
Jaylynn was a happy, cuddly baby and had learned to pull up the day before her death. Kaden and Jaylynn were inseparable.
“I only had Keara for 23 years, Kaden for 3 years and Jaylynn for 9 months, and God gave me the biggest blessing from those three,” Griffin said. “If they had never been born, I would’ve missed the biggest blessings.”
Justice served
On Tuesday, Jordan Michael Hazel pleaded guilty as charged to all three counts of first-degree premeditated murder and will serve two life sentences – 55 years each – before being eligible for parole.
Previously, he’d had a hearing to determine if he was mentally competent to stand trial, and the judge ruled he was competent.
“I knew he wasn’t insane,” Griffin said. “He wanted to move on with his life, and he threw them away like they were trash.”
Griffin said she isn’t bitter and doesn’t hate Jordan Hazel. While heartbroken from the loss, she is determined to be faithful and feel blessed.
“I didn’t want to take his life, but I didn’t want another mother to go through the pain I’ve been through,” Griffin said. “The only way to do that was to make sure he never gets out. … He’s only going to live so long, but the thing is, he can’t hurt anyone else. I do hope God has mercy on him. He’s going to have to live with this everyday. I will live with the hugs and kisses I got on my deck that last day.”
