On January 13, 2026, around 3 p.m. CST, Phillip Bruce Hadley, 56, of Columbia, Kentucky, fatally shot his son, Jordan Hadley, 33, during a heated altercation in the backyard of Phillip’s mother’s home on KY 55 South in Adair County. Jordan was found with a gunshot wound, transported to TJ Sampson Hospital, and pronounced dead by the Adair County Coroner. The dispute stemmed from an ongoing conflict, with Jordan allegedly shoving his father twice and threatening, “This is going to end today,” before approaching a third time.​
Arrest and Charges
Phillip Hadley was arrested shortly after and charged with murder by Kentucky State Police Post 15. He told investigators he believed Jordan was reaching for a gun, though no weapon was found on the son or nearby. Phillip’s mother witnessed the event and corroborated his account of the shoves. He was booked into the Adair County Detention Center.​
Court Proceedings
Hadley appeared for arraignment on January 14, 2026, where a judge set his bond at $1 million cash. A further hearing is scheduled for January 21, 2026. The investigation continues under Detective BJ Burton, assisted by local agencies. No additional updates on the case status are available as of January 15, 2026.
