‘Suspicious’ fire still under probe

Thu, 12/07/2006 - 4:38pm
By: John Munford

House ordered to be sold in divorce judgement

Officials are still investigating what has been called a “suspicious” house fire in the Smokerise subdivision late Sunday evening.

Peachtree City Fire Marshal Dave Williamson confirmed Thursday afternoon that samples from the scene have been sent for analysis, but he couldn’t provide further details about the investigation.

Meanwhile neighbors have reported that the home was vacated recently, and the Citizen has learned that the home, formerly occupied by Terry and Kay Beckom, is one of four properties the couple has been ordered to sell as part of their divorce proceedings.

The divorce went to a September jury trial in Fayette County Superior Court. According to court filings, the Beckoms were ordered to be out of the home by mid-November, but Terry Beckom petitioned the court in late November saying Kay Beckom had not yet moved out of the home. That filing was in response to a petition from Kay Beckom claiming that her husband missed two consecutive monthly child support payments of $4,100 each.

The heavily damaged home has already been torn down by State Farm Insurance to eliminate the potential hazard, Williamson said. The Georgia Fire Marshal’s office has joined the investigation with the Peachtree City Fire and Police Departments and with State Farm, Williamson noted.

Kay Beckom was convicted in July of several criminal charges stemming from an unsupervised teen party at the home where alcohol was served, according to court documents. Beckom was convicted of contributing to the delinquency of a minor, obstruction of a police officer and maintaining a disorderly house; she was sentenced to a $3,000 fine, placed on 24 months probation and required to do 50 hours of community service.

Beckom has filed an appeal of the decision with the Georgia Court of Appeals.

The charges stemmed from an incident Dec. 3 of last year at the Beckom home.

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Submitted by stac1001 on Mon, 12/11/2006 - 1:57pm.

ok so the kids had parties? what teenager doesnt have a party at his parents house at least one time in life ? I dont think that just because the teenager had a party that she should have been convicted of anything. Didnt it say UNSUPERVISED ? doesnt that mean she wasnt there. I understand Kay has burned alot of bridges and i do know some bad stories about her. However, i do know she has done alot of positive things for many people. I do know that her children are innocent and dont deserve whatever has happened or could be about to happen in their lives. The extent of some of these comments has BLOWN me away. Opionions vary and everyone has one....

Emmyjune's picture
Submitted by Emmyjune on Mon, 12/11/2006 - 11:38am.

I'm just curious. What businesses did this woman supposedly own? And what does her husband do? Eight kids between them? From a majority of the posts here, and from the fact that she was convicted of crimes based upon the unsupervised parties she allowed in her home, one can only assume that she is of questionable character. Anyone else think it's possible that Kay or Terry might have had something to do with it???


Submitted by ptc4me on Mon, 12/11/2006 - 3:39pm.

I sincerely hope no one responds to these questions. There is an ongoing investigation. These comments and speculations while this incident is being investigated are unsavory and detrimental.

Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 12/09/2006 - 9:51pm.

How much was this home insured for, and who gets the money?(ok 2 questions) Wait I thought of one more......even though they had moved out....I don't supose any valuables were accidently left inside by chance? Hmmmm, yes that would be unfortunate.

Think of how much alcohol that insurance money will buy.

This whole thing sounds sad for the kids only.

Submitted by realism on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 6:26pm.

Sorry to break the X-mas spirit here and chime in with the proverbial "told you so", but Karma is no phenomenon and Kay has been stuffing her purse and her kids wallets with bad Karma since their first X-mas in PTC: and its finally caught up with them. Criminal convictions, drug abuse, infidelity, theft, burglary, divorce, where does it end. For her sake, hopefully she discarded the matchbook. My advice, buy a trailer with the insurance money pack up "sin city" and move somewhere else ~ we've had just about enough of Kay & the garbage pale kids. Merry Christmas everyone!

Submitted by kbeckom on Sun, 08/17/2008 - 1:48pm.

Sounds like you have no clue what you are talking about. Actually I believe this is from Terry Beckom. Anyway no drugs, no burglary, no infidelity,or theft. Check out moonman501 as he admitted to being in court. You have the wrong picture. And my children are not garbage pale kids.

Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 11:33pm.

Not X-mas. Who you X'ing out anyways?


Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 12/09/2006 - 9:07am.

It's also the time of year when we celebrate Hanukkah, Kwansaa, and the new year.

So happy holidays, happy Hanukkah, happy Kwansaa, and for those of you who think you are sooo blinking right about EVERYTHING merry christmas.

Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Sat, 12/09/2006 - 9:40am.

So you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa (whatever the heck that is)and the New Year. I have to ask.....How weird is that?

Ok Sky.... you need a visit from the spooks too. You'd be a happier man I'm sure.

So Merry Christmas!


Submitted by skyspy on Sat, 12/09/2006 - 9:52am.

Just sick of christians and their "message". I believe in God, not people who say they are christians. They think they are the only ones who celebrate a holiday this time of year......they are not .... and I would say they are not the most important people who celebrate this time of year either.

Let's have respect for everyone ... it's not weird....just having respect for our fellow humans.....Happy Holiday big lion.

pay it forward

Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Sat, 12/09/2006 - 1:23pm.

Sky...you are the one coming on here trashing folks for wanting to have a Merry Christmas. A recent study showed that around 80% of the American population celebrated Christmas and desired the term Merry Christmas. Among Democrats the number was in the 61 percent range.

Fine...Let's have respect for everyone. How about letting those of us who celebrate Christmas do so with respect and without harassment from Scrooges like you.

Happy Sacred Cow Day to you. I'll celebrate with you while grilling mine.


Submitted by suser on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 6:23pm.

I can appreciate your concern. No family should have this loss at this time of year. I do know however from several high school students that this address was a big party address and that the there wasn't much supervision. The supervision was supposedly not able to make adult decisions. Just realize that sometimes adults can make errors in their decisions. I hope that the Beckom family can overcome this unfortunate incident.

Submitted by stac1001 on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 12:51pm.

so-- B/C YOU AND OTHERS HAVE OBVIOUSLY HAD BAD TIMES WITH THE WOMAN .. THIS MEANS SHE AND HER CHILDREN DESERVE TO HAVE THEIR HOME BURNT DOWN? THIS MEANS SHE DESERVES TO BE HOMELESS AND HER CHILDREN DESERVE IT AS WELL? ALSO-- WHAT TIME OF YEAR IS IT ? I UNDERSTAND THE WOMAN AND HER FAMILY HAVE ALWAYS LIVED BEYOND THE MEANS MOST OF US ARE USE TO BUT DOES THAT MEAN THAT SOMETHING LIKE THIS IS NOT DEVASTATING TO HER AND HER FAMILY! IM SURE THERE ARE ALOT OF PEOPLE IN PTC THAT WOULD AGREE TO SOME OF THE OPIONIONS I HAVE SEEN EXPRESSED..... HOWEVER-- THERE IS ALWAYS MORE TO EVERY STORY.
WHY SHOULD KAY BE BEING PUT DOWN SO BAD WHEN FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND TERRI IS mia ANYWAY.... mia AS A FATHER AS WELL! I GUESS MY POINT IS THAT ALL THESE COMMENTS ABOUT THINGS SHE HAS DONE, THEY WAY SHE LIVES AND ALL THE OTHER INSIGNIFICANT STUFF HAS nothing TO DO WITH THE FACT THAT HER AND her CHILDREN HAVE SUFFERED A LOSS! A LOSS A TIME OF YEAR THAT NO -ONE SHOULD HAVE TO GO THRU THIS. WHETHER OR NOT SHE IS AN ANGEL OR A HIDEOUS PERSON ... no ONE DESERVES THIS!

Submitted by 111405 on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 1:12pm.

She has been convicted before. Read the article. Not exactly there as a role model. It has nothing to do with how she lives, it is the people she runs over and generally makes their life hell. Some people get what they deserve.

Submitted by urcrazy on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 1:07pm.

They are not homeless..they weren't even living there when the house burnt down. Did you read th article? You obivously don't know the family if you wrote this. Yes, it does sound like a sad story if you don't know the truth.

Submitted by stac1001 on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 3:33pm.

i never said they were homeless and I do know the family! i know them in good ways and bad ways-- NONE the less! what happened is tragic. The situation with the kids... COME ON... true there are some HIDEOUS parents that allow and would participate in things like that but PLEASE. Unfortunanlty we live in a town where the COPS badges are bigger than them. I can bet PTC police werent willing to LEAVE without makin sure someone caught a charge of some sort. I understand the house was partially vacant.. it was still their HOME. I also know that there are plenty of people with bad taste in their mouths towards Kay... however there are kids involved in this. Boys that arent even 21 and its not fair to watch a nasty family situation go down this way NOR is it fair to have their parents put on the cuttin board in our towns paper!

ptcgv's picture
Submitted by ptcgv on Thu, 12/07/2006 - 4:54pm.

In Smokerise? This sounds like an episode of "Desperate Housewives”.

Sorry. I just HAD to go for it.


bad_ptc's picture
Submitted by bad_ptc on Thu, 12/07/2006 - 6:59pm.

Lets see.

She's a party animal.

They have to sell at least four, count em, four houses.

She only gets $4,100.00/month child support. (Maybe she has a job, not!)

Now you tell me how is she going to be able to keep her Tennis Center and golf memberships and feed her kids on just $4,100.00 a month?

Does the judge have any idea what the monthly payments on a KMG Mercedes are?

I wonder, did the illegal boat house, in the city green belt, burn as well?

PTCGV is right, this is an episode of "Desperate Housewives".


Submitted by lovelienight on Thu, 12/07/2006 - 8:46pm.

I know posting this remark will open the door for ugliness, but I have to speak on behalf of this family. I have known them for over 13 years and this is a terrible time for them. Yes it may be just like an episode of desperate housewives, but just like you do not judge based off a few printed facts. There is always more to the facts that are not printed.
4 homes? Why yes there is, they have 8 kids among themselves, not to mention the many other kids they took under their wings from other homes that made their way to their door for help (whether it be for a place to stay, food, a job or money).
All those memories burned and can not be replaced. Does she have a job? She owns several businesses and was one of the masterminds behind their financial success; they earned every penny and invested wisely better than the majority of us do. They were even kind enough to help others in need many times over as a reflection to be blessed to have done well.

As far as her parenting, who are any of us to judge a parent, we all know teenagers do things while are parents away and of course as parents it is our responsibility to accept the consequences of our children. This does not make her a partier...far from it, just someone who stepped away at the wrong time and made some wrong decisions at the heat of the moment.

I have to speak because this has not been the easiest time for this family and these kids, just like any divorce it takes its toll, but they were a family and still are a family and they lost something very important to them, this was their primary residence that housed over 30 plus years of memories that can never be replaced.
No one is perfect, but just because she made bad parenting decisions in the eyes of others does not make her fit to be deemed a desperate housewife...
by the way the woman has never played one game of tennis or golf in her whole life, she has too many kids she is too busy chasing and businesses to run to support the lifestyle they choose to maintain for themselves and their children. On a funny note, just picturing Kay or Terry doing either is the most comical thing I could see, I do not think either of them would know what to do with a racket or a club, with that many kids and businesses they never had time for themselves to do those things. You think you drive around every where for 1 or 2 kids, imagine that multiplied by their number. Do not get me wrong, they loved it, they love their children and would do it all over, they are fortunate enough to be able to support a family like that.

I just had to speak because I love this family and have seen this unfold before my eyes, I have to defend those you love but we all know that a cover never tells you what’s all inside, so please try to remember that as you criticize them during a time where some of the most important things to someone is lost. This is a tragic time and they would like answers too.

nuk's picture
Submitted by nuk on Mon, 12/11/2006 - 11:38am.

:Why yes there is, they have 8 kids
:among themselves, not to mention
:the many other kids they took under
:their wings from other homes that made
:their way to their door for help
:(whether it be for a place to stay,
: food, a job or money).

Don't forget the free booze!!!

NUK


Submitted by urcrazy on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 12:54pm.

I don't know who in their right mind would write any of the things in the SAD comment. She does not own several businesses anymore and she is a mastermind of nothing. I guess whoever wrote this DOES NOT know the family like they say cause what was written is a load of crap. The family is the most dysfunctional family I have every met. What decent mom would let {{{{{{edited}}}}}}}}}. When I read this comment it made me absoultly discusted, because all the things written were nothing but lies. What goes around comes around and for all those people the Beckoms hurt, this must just be pay back.

Submitted by Flydecajon on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 2:06pm.

Wow that is a lot of hate there I will not argue with you that you may have and know people with problems with this woman. Seriously do you really want that for the kids all that hate for them? It is Christmas time it is time for all of us to relax some. No, it is not right for her to let the kids{{{{{{{{{{{edited}}}}}}}}}, she made wrong decisions...I had my house burnt too one time and it is one of the most horrible things that ever happened to me and my wife.

Merry Christmas urcrazy I am not trying to harass you

Submitted by 111405 on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 2:19pm.

You really have to know her to hate her. I don't know urcrazy but I do know Kay. In my opinion she cares about nobody but herself.

Submitted by vespa on Sat, 12/09/2006 - 5:57pm.

The Beckom kids and especially Kay care for everyone and very kind and loving people. 111405, you should should seek some professional help for your hatred towards people, and try to get a job since the Beckom's don't support you any more.

Submitted by Flydecajon on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 3:14pm.

I believe you guys you all know her I do not.

Git Real's picture
Submitted by Git Real on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 3:17pm.

Do I know this woman? Please tell me her name isn't Kathryn.


Submitted by urcrazy on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 2:54pm.

That is the only point I am trying to make...all these people feel sorry for her, she wouldn't feel the least bit sorry for them. I truly believe the people that have pity on this woman DO NOT KNOW HER! She didn't live in the house that burnt down..she didn't lose her stuff....{{{{{{{edited}}}}}}}}}.

Submitted by Shrek 4 Prez on Fri, 12/08/2006 - 11:53am.

Some of us know the "tragic" times first hand and see the load of crap you are trying to dish out. Simply put the only thing that is comical are your comments.

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