One of the biggest cases we have covered in the past week is the disappearance and subsequent deaths of Chandler Kuhbander and Raegan Anderson. Both were 24 and from Georgia. They worked as firefighters. Chandler and Raegan had been dating and had a seemingly tumultuous relationship. The couple met during high school and dated for seven years.
This is part of a 2023 police report:
News of their disappearances first came out on Tuesday, June 25, 2024.
Chandler’s mother made the following social media post:
Please do not delete! We need your help. I live in Georgia and our family loves the area. My son (24, 5’11 medium build last seen in dark tshirt and gym shorts) is a firefighter in Liberty county georgia. His Unstable and dangerous ex girlfriend also a lfire fighter obtained my son yesterday and the trail is leading to this area. Several police and detective depts are involved. She is a danger to herself and my son. They do not believe he is with her willingly!!! They may end up hiking or pulled off, going to raegans diner or places he has told her about in the past. His phone and hers are no longer on. Please if you are out and about and see a black low profile 2017 Ford Focus georgia license plate GEX655 with a firefighter logo on the plate or either of these two call 911 and explain they are a missing person and on a nation wide bolo. Please message me as we are trying to pin point their location to bring my son home safe.
The search started and went on for days. While they were missing, we learned some more about the days prior.
On June 22, there was an incident that was documented in a Hinesville Police report. “Ms. Anderson came into an Olive Garden in Pooler where Mr. Kuhbander was on a date. Ms. Anderson caused a disturbance with Mr. Kuhbander, and she walked outside and keyed his vehicle.” As a result, Raegan was arrested. She posted bond to two charges, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct.
Two days later, on June 24, the Liberty County Fire Department demoted Raegan and placed her on administrative leave.
That same day, Chandler last spoke to his mother. “He was telling me she was blowing up his phone, and he said that she had threatened that she was going to commit suicide,” she said. “And, it’s not the first time that she’s done it.”
The next day, Tuesday, June 25, the department’s deputy chief asked for a welfare check to be done on Raegan’s home. Hinesville police officers didn’t find anyone in the home but did find a note that appeared to be left by her saying she might harm herself.
On that same day, Chandler was last seen leaving the Crunch Fitness in Savannah at around 11:30 a.m. Police say security footage shows him leaving the gym, but his vehicle was left in the parking lot, and he was never seen again.
“At 11:40 my son walks out of the building and he looks very comfortable, like he just had his workout,” said Jane, Chandler’s mother. . “He doesn’t look rushed as he walks through the parking lot. After that, we don’t see him again.”
The next thing Chandler’s parents saw in the video was a black 2017 Ford Focus driving off the parking lot.
“You don’t want to be in this position. And when you see it on television, I can see how they feel,” said Jane. “Then it hits you like I am that person. I do feel that way. This is terrifying and you have no answers.”
Later that same day, Raegan was seen pumping gas at a Circle K in Prosperity, South Carolina. Chandler was not seen there, but when WTOC spoke with his mother, she said that was the last place his phone was tracked to.
“My understanding is his phone pinged at the same gas station where she lost her debit card and can be seen pumping gas,” said Chief Tracey Howard of the Hinesville Police Department. “From what I’m able to see, I could not tell he was in the vehicle.”
After that, Raegan’s vehicle headed in the direction of Tennessee.
Chandler’s mother and father spoke to the media.
“I’m so scared,” said Jane. “I just want them home.”
“We really hope he keeps going. Just keep sharing the information, but we really want to find him and bring him home. All it takes is one time seeing him for us to find him,” said Jane.
“We hope both of them are fine. Both of them come home,” said Justin. “Then, we’ll go from there, once we get them both back here.”
On Sunday June 30, the bodies of Chandler and Raegan were found in Tennessee. It is believed their bodies were found in Raegan’s vehicle.
Hinesville Police released the following statement:
We regret to inform the public that the bodies of missing persons, Raegan Anderson and Chandler Kuhbander, along with Anderson’s vehicle, have been discovered in Cocke County, TN. Tennessee authorities are currently investigating the scene.
Details pertaining to the discovery of their bodies, vehicle and events leading to their deaths are not available at this time. Questions should be directed to the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations.
We extend our deepest condolences to the Anderson and Kuhbander families during this incredibly difficult time.’
The Liberty County Fire Chief also made a statement:
“Liberty County Fire Services is deeply saddened to receive the news regarding Lt. Raegan Anderson and Senior Firefighter Chandler Kuhbander,” Fire Chief Brian Darby said. “These two extremely dedicated employees put their hearts and souls into protecting and serving the citizens of Liberty County. Our prayers, and those of the department, are with the families during this difficult time.
The TBI released the following statement:
“Their bodies have been sent for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death,” the agency said.. “Additional information will be provided once the individuals have been positively identified. At this time, the investigation is ongoing.”
Hinesville Police Chief Tracey Howard told the media, “I don’t believe that the investigation in any way is yielding an idea that whatever happened involved anybody else other than the two that were found.”
A family member of one of the deceased has made this statement:
“I’m a cousin and I commented a couple times if you’re referring to me. I’ve reached out to his parents to express my sincerest sorrows. That while the immediate and extended family are grieving and still trying to understand why she would want to harm herself let alone another person, many of us also recognize that Chandler had a lot of positive life left to live and he never should have been dragged down with her. Her immediate family are dealing with their emotions behind the scenes as they are allowed to do. While Raegan did an unforgivable thing, she was still someone who was loved, who we had faith in to do the right thing, and who we wanted back. I think it’s fair to say we can feel both sorrow and loss for both their lives as well as confusion and anger at this terrible ending.”
In August 2024, Raegan’s autopsy report was made public. The document states that she shot Chandler before writing a suicide note and taking her own life. She shot herself in the head while she was sitting on Chandler’s decomposing body. You can read the whole report here:
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