The tragic death of Diane Kyne inside her Seminole, Florida home on August 15, 2010, remains one of the most baffling closed-loop murder cases in modern true crime history. With only three people inside the house—Diane, her husband William (Bill) Kyne, and her adult son Kevin Kyne—and zero forced entry from the outside, investigators faced an immediate grim reality: the killer had to be one of the two surviving family members. Both men called 911 within minutes of each other, pointing the finger directly at one another.
The primary keyword behind public interest in this case focuses on the whereabouts and status of Kevin Kyne. Understanding what happened to Kevin requires examining the chaotic crime scene, the subsequent trials, the overturned conviction, and where the case stands today.
The Crime Scene and Initial 911 Calls
On that August afternoon, emergency dispatchers received simultaneous or near-simultaneous calls from inside the Kyne residence. Kevin called 911 frantically from the front yard, claiming his stepfather had killed his mother and was coming after him next. Simultaneously, Bill called 911 from inside the house, claiming that Kevin had just strangled Diane.
When law enforcement arrived, they found Bill and Kevin physically grappling on the front lawn. Inside the master bedroom, officers discovered 53-year-old Diane Kyne dead on the bed. An autopsy confirmed she had been strangled and smothered.
The physical evidence presented a confusing puzzle for detectives:
- The Victim's Neck: Investigators found Bill's DNA on Diane's neck, but no direct DNA from Kevin on her neck.
- The Bedroom Floor: Kevin's glasses and one of his shoes were found inside the bedroom near the body, alongside a small amount of Kevin's blood.
- The Timeline: First responders noted that Diane's body was already cold when they arrived, suggesting she had been dead for a significant window of time before the 911 calls were placed.
Arrest, Trial, and Conviction of Kevin Kyne
Because of the physical traces found in the bedroom—including his blood and personal items—police zeroed in on Kevin. Investigators and prosecutors pointed to Kevin's history of a volatile temper, domestic arguments within the household, and friction regarding his living arrangements.
In 2012, a Pinellas County jury convicted Kevin Kyne of second-degree murder, and he was sentenced to life in prison. Prosecutors argued that Kevin lashed out during an argument and killed his mother. However, Kevin's defense maintained from day one that Bill had committed the murder—citing Bill's potential financial motives involving life insurance policies and suspicious circumstances surrounding the prior death of Bill's previous wife.
The Overturned Conviction and Retrial
Kevin's legal team appealed the conviction, pointing to procedural errors during the trial. In 2014, the Florida Second District Court of Appeal ruled in favor of Kevin, finding that the trial court had improperly admitted prejudicial extrinsic evidence regarding past family arguments that weren't directly tied to the murder. The court reversed the conviction and remanded the case for a new trial.
In February 2015, Kevin faced a second jury trial. This time, the defense successfully highlighted the holes in the state's timeline, the presence of Bill's DNA on the victim's neck, and the lack of conclusive forensic evidence proving Kevin delivered the fatal blows. After deliberating, the jury unanimously found Kevin Kyne not guilty.
Where Is Kevin Kyne Today?
Following his acquittal in 2015, Kevin Kyne was released from custody. Because he was acquitted by a jury of second-degree murder, double jeopardy protects him from ever being tried again for Diane's death.
Since his release, Kevin has largely stayed out of the national media spotlight. The case remains officially classified as an unsolved mystery by legal standards because no other person has ever been charged or convicted of Diane Kyne's murder. While public opinion online remains deeply divided—with some amateur sleuths pointing fingers at Bill due to his financial history and others remaining convinced of Kevin's guilt based on the bedroom evidence—the legal system considers the murder case effectively dormant.
You can read more about legal case files and court decisions surrounding the family through public legal archives like FindLaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Kevin Kyne spend time in prison?
Yes. Kevin was convicted in 2012 and served roughly two and a half years behind bars before his conviction was overturned on appeal. He was held until his second trial concluded in early 2015.
Can Kevin Kyne be charged again if new evidence is found?
No. Under the United States Constitution's double jeopardy clause, once a jury has acquitted a defendant of a specific criminal charge, the state cannot prosecute them for that same crime again, regardless of what new evidence might surface later.
What motive did investigators suggest for the murder?
Prosecutors during the initial trials pointed to ongoing household tension, arguments over Kevin's living situation, and behavioral issues. Conversely, defense attorneys argued that William Kyne stood to benefit financially from insurance policies following Diane's death.
Was anyone else ever arrested or charged?
No. Aside from Kevin's initial arrest and trial, William Kyne was never charged by law enforcement in connection with Diane's death, leaving the murder officially unsolved.
