The serene evening of November 5, 2025, took a tragic turn in a quiet corner of the 3400 block of Hunters Point Pike in Lebanon, Tennessee, when 34-year-old Jessica Arita was found dead during what deputies believe was a domestic-related confrontation. According to the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, officers arriving around 9:30 p.m. were met by two young children – unharmed but shaken – left outside the home while their parents remained inside.
The scene inside proved worse than the orderly suburban setting suggested. Deputies say the suspect, thought to be Arita’s former husband, had barricaded himself in a bedroom. Attempts at negotiation were met with silence, and officers ultimately forced their way in. Inside, they found both Arita and the suspect unresponsive, apparently injured by a sharp object. Emergency crews rendered aid, but Arita was pronounced dead at the scene.
Captain Scott Moore of the Sheriff’s Office confirmed the case is being treated as a domestic-related homicide. The suspect’s name has not yet been released. As law enforcement secured the scene and began gathering evidence, they also launched a deeper inquiry: were there prior disputes, warning signs or calls that might have tipped off authorities before the escalation?
Meanwhile, the two children were placed safely with relatives under the care of the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services, and are being supported with emotional counseling in light of the traumatic event. Captain Moore extended condolences to the family and underlined the department’s commitment: “Our hearts go out to the family, and our focus now is on ensuring the children are cared for and that justice is served.”
Neighbors in Hunters Point Pike described their enclave as tight-knit, quiet and the type of place where violence is unexpected. The late-night forensic work – evidence collection, witness interviews, scene processing – ran into the early hours as deputies pieced together what could have led a peaceful home to horror. When the investigation wraps, findings will be forwarded to the Wilson County District Attorney’s Office for review and possible criminal charges.
In the aftermath, local officials used the incident as a somber reminder that domestic safety applies everywhere – even in seemingly tranquil neighborhoods. Shelters, counselling services and national hotlines were emphasized as resources for anyone experiencing domestic abuse, and residents were urged: if you see signs of trouble, reach out. The Sheriff’s Office confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public; the scene remains contained and residents are being invited to come forward with any information that might help the investigation.
At its heart this is not simply a headline about law enforcement activity — it is the story of a mother who did not get to come home, two children grappling with a loss and a neighborhood shaken to its core. As the investigation proceeds, all eyes are on how justice will be served — and how this community will begin the long process of healing.