Cobb County man Darryl Chandler accused of murdering wife

COBB COUNTY, Ga. - Police say a Kennesaw man has been charged with murder after officers responding to a complaint of gas smell found his wife dead inside their duplex.

Residents in the Lake Mist neighborhood said Monday evening the smell of gasoline was so strong they called the gas company. When the employee showed up, he determined gallons of gasoline had been dumped throughout a home on Lake Mist Drive so he called police.

Detectives discovered the body of 62-year-old Brenda Chandler in an upstairs bedroom. Her husband, Darryl Chandler, was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, felony murder and attempt to commit arson. Investigators said they believe Mr. Chandler planned to bu the home.

Court documents say when the quick-thinking cops detained Chandler when they found receipts from two gas stations in his pockets, along with two lighters. He was one motion away from setting the entire building ablaze and possibly taking more lives.

Brandon Reeves lives next door to the Chandlers in the duplex. ”It sounds like he was planning to bu it down and if we were asleep, us as well, said Reeves.

Crime Scene investigators were back at the house most of Tuesday. They could be seen carrying out bags of evidence. As neighbors watched, they talked about how it could have been so much worse if police didn’t show up when they did.

”It could have been more catastrophic than it was. Luckily someone was smart enough to call the gas company before it got really bad, said Kelsey Walls.