Connie was taken from us while crossing the street, early in the morning on Sunday, April 13, 2008.  She was taken to the hospital at around 2:30am, where they worked on her for about 2 hours before it was determined that they couldn't save her.  We miss her already, and life will never be the same without her.

To help us celebrate Connie's life, and express how much we will miss her, there was a viewing and funeral, held in Park City, UT, as well as a memorial service held at the University of Kentucky.  The viewing was held at the Park City Community Church, on Thursday, April 17th.  The funeral was also held at the Park City Community Church, on the following day, Friday, April 18th, with the burial following immediately after, at the Park City Cemetery. 

 
 

Shannon Houser Trial - Overview & News Coverage

Shannon Houser was arrested following the death of Connie Blount on April 13th, 2008. He appeared in court on February 2, 2009 in the Fayette Circuit Courthouse in Lexington, Kentucky. Houser began to plead guilty, but then changed his mind and plead not guilty to the charges of leaving the scene of an accident, tampering with evidence, and possession of marijuana, which carries a maximum sentence of six years and 30 days in prison. On February 5th, after three full days testimony, the jury found Shannon Houser guilty on the charges of tampering with evidence and leaving the scene.

Connie's father, Jack Blount was in Lexington, Kentucky to attend the trial. While he was in town, an informal gathering was held at the Baptist Student Center on Monday, February 2nd. The Blount family has appreciated the outpouring of love and support from friends, teachers, and the community since Connie's death and many stopped by to visit with Jack during this time.

News - April 14, 2010:

News - November 2, 2009:

  • Parole Board decides Shannon Houser must Serve Out, which means the inmate must spend the balance of his/her sentence incarcerated.

News Articles - April 21, 2009:

News Articles - March 21, 2009:

News Articles - February 20, 2009:

News Articles - February 16-17, 2009:

News Articles - February 13, 2009:

News Articles - February 6, 2009:

News Articles - February 5, 2009:

News Articles - February 4, 2009:

News Articles - February 3, 2009:

News Articles - February 2, 2009:

 
 

Worldwide Thank You:
 The Blount family deeply appreciates the outpouring of support and sympathy from everyone.  From the prayers, cards, flowers, and online posts, to those who traveled from around the country to attend the various services, whether from family or best friends, to total strangers, the response has been tremendous, and has touched us all. 

Read the Thank You letter from Jack Blount

 
 

Ongoing Legal Initiatives:
Shannon Houser, the man arrested in connection with Connie's death, is on trial for leaving the scene of the accident (a misdemeanor) and tampering with physical evidence (a felony). Unfortunately, at the time of the accident, Kentucky was one of the three U.S. states where leaving the scene of an accident was not a felony charge. However, on April 28, 2008, Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear signed a law that makes it a felony to leave the scene of an accident.

The Blount family applauds the Kentucky legislature and governor for moving quickly to pass this law, and we strongly encourage the remaining two states - Utah and Montana - to pass similar legislation.
For more information about efforts to change the hit-and-run laws in Utah and Montana and to find out how you can help, click here.

 
 

Donations / Scholarship Fund:
The Blount family, together with the University of Kentucky has established the Connie Blount Memorial Fund, benefitting Equestrian majors.  Your donations in memory of Connie will be gratefully accepted and appreciated.  If you would like to make a donation, please make the check out to "The University of Kentucky", and write "Connie Blount Memorial Fund" in the memo line.  Send  checks to:
   Marci Hicks
   Director of Development
   Office for Advancement
   E.S. Goodbarn
   1451 University Drive
   Lexington, KY 40546-0097

If you need more information, please contact Marci Hicks at
(859) 257-7200, or send an email to memorial@blount.org.

 
 

Guestbook and other Memories
If you would like to leave a message for the Blount family, please post on the guestbook at Legacy.com.

Also, please email memorial@blount.org with any pictures, stories, or other memories of Connie that you would like to share with the family.  

If you would like to send anything to the Blount family, please use the following addresses:

 
 

Just a few hours later, the family celebrated the birth of a new baby girl, born to Connie's older sister.  Paul and Kelley Krohnert became proud parents to a wonderful baby girl, Andrea Paige.  Born at 3:43pm on April 13th, she weighed 8lbs 11oz, and mother and baby are at home and doing well.

Andrea Paige Krohnert Mom, Baby, & Uncle Thor Dad and Baby