The Killer Of Chris Kyle: Where Is Eddie Ray Routh Now And 5 Shocking Facts From The Trial

The brutal murder of legendary Navy SEAL Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield remains one of the most high-profile criminal cases involving a military veteran in modern history. The man responsible, former Marine Corporal Eddie Ray Routh, was convicted of capital murder in 2015, and the details surrounding his motive and the subsequent trial continue to be a subject of intense public curiosity and legal analysis. As of December 2025, Routh is serving his sentence, with his life behind bars a stark contrast to the global attention the case received. This article provides a deep dive into the biography of Chris Kyle's killer, the chilling events of the 2013 double murder, and the latest updates on Eddie Ray Routh's current status, including the key, often-overlooked details from the dramatic trial that sealed his fate.

The Full Profile and Biography of Eddie Ray Routh

Eddie Ray Routh is the former U.S. Marine Corporal convicted of the 2013 double murder of Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield. His life story is marked by military service, a struggle with severe mental health issues, and ultimately, an act of violence that shocked the nation.

• Full Name: Eddie Ray Routh
• Date of Birth: September 30, 1987
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 38 years old.
• Military Service: U.S. Marine Corps (2006–2010)
• Rank: Corporal (Cpl.)
• Deployments: Iraq (2007) and Haiti (2010)
• Mental Health: Routh suffered from severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psychosis, which he claimed were exacerbated by his military service and post-military life. He was taking anti-psychotic medication at the time of the murders.
• Victims: Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield
• Crime Date: February 2, 2013
• Conviction: Capital Murder (February 24, 2015)
• Sentence: Life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Routh was honorably discharged from the Marines in 2010. Following his service, he struggled to adapt to civilian life, working a series of odd jobs and battling increasing mental instability. His mother, Jodi Routh, sought out Chris Kyle, renowned for his work helping veterans with PTSD, leading to the fatal encounter.

The Chilling Timeline of the Double Murder at Rough Creek Lodge

The tragic events of February 2, 2013, unfolded at the Rough Creek Lodge and Resort shooting range in Erath County, near Stephenville, Texas. Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield, a former Marine and a friend respectively, had taken Routh to the range as a form of therapeutic outreach, a common practice for Kyle in his post-military life. The encounter began with Kyle and Littlefield picking up Routh in Kyle's Ford F-350 pickup. During the drive to the remote shooting range, Kyle sent a now-infamous text message to Littlefield that captured the immediate sense of unease. "This dude is straight up nuts," Kyle wrote. Littlefield responded: "He's sitting right behind me, watch my six." This exchange became a pivotal piece of evidence, demonstrating Routh's disturbed state and the victims' awareness of the potential danger. At the range, Routh used two different handguns—a .45 caliber M1911 pistol and a 9mm SIG Sauer P226 Mk.25 Mod 0 pistol—to shoot both men multiple times. Kyle was shot six times and Littlefield seven. A Texas Ranger later testified that while both men were armed with pistols, Kyle's gun was still secured in its holster, indicating Routh acted suddenly and without an immediate threat. The victims were shot in the back, further suggesting they were taken by surprise. After the shooting, Routh fled the scene in Kyle's pickup truck, driving to his sister’s house and confessing to the murders before a brief police chase and standoff led to his arrest.

The Failed Insanity Defense and Life Without Parole

The trial of Eddie Ray Routh, which began in February 2015, drew global media attention due to the fame of Chris Kyle, the subject of the book and film "American Sniper." The defense team's strategy centered entirely on the insanity defense.

The Core of the Defense Argument

The defense argued that Routh was legally insane at the time of the shooting, suffering from a severe episode of psychosis rooted in his PTSD. They presented evidence that Routh was experiencing delusions, including the bizarre claim that Kyle and Littlefield were "pig people" who were trying to kill him. The defense contended that due to this mental state, Routh could not distinguish between right and wrong, a key component of the legal standard for insanity in Texas law.

The Prosecution’s Rebuttal

Prosecutors, led by Alan Nash and Jane Starnes, vigorously countered the insanity plea. They presented a mountain of evidence suggesting Routh knew exactly what he was doing:

• Routh’s confession to his sister and a jail deputy, where he clearly articulated his actions.
• His ability to evade police and his calculated actions after the crime.
• Prosecutor Jane Starnes dismissed the "pig people" claim as "a load of hogwash," arguing that Routh’s actions were the result of drug use and a troubled personality, not legal insanity.
• The chilling text message from Kyle provided insight into Routh's pre-meditation and the victims' fear.

The Verdict and Sentence

After a nine-day trial, the Erath County jury took less than three hours to reject the insanity defense and find Eddie Ray Routh guilty of capital murder. Routh was immediately sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. This sentence ensured that the man who killed the "American Sniper" would spend the rest of his natural life incarcerated within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) system.

Eddie Ray Routh's Current Status (December 2025)

As of the current date, December 2025, Eddie Ray Routh remains an inmate in the Texas prison system. His conviction and sentence have been upheld through the state’s appellate process. Routh is currently serving his life sentence at the Ramsey I Unit, a maximum-security prison located in Rosharon, Texas. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) inmate records confirm his status as serving "LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE," meaning he will never be eligible for release. In 2016, Routh's legal team filed an appeal to the Texas 11th Court of Appeals, arguing that the trial court erred in rejecting the insanity defense and that there were errors in the jury selection process. The appellate court unanimously rejected his appeal, upholding the capital murder conviction. While his attorneys could theoretically seek a review from the U.S. Supreme Court, no major legal filings or new developments have emerged in the years since, confirming that Routh's case has reached its final legal conclusion. The case of Eddie Ray Routh continues to be a profound and somber reminder of the challenges faced by veterans struggling with mental health issues, the dedication of those like Chris Kyle and Chad Littlefield who sought to help them, and the complex legal line between mental illness and criminal responsibility.