Chris Kyle: Death, Kills, and Verified Facts

The Navy SEAL sniper credited with 160 confirmed kills became a national figure after his autobiography “American Sniper” hit shelves in 2012, but his murder at a Texas shooting range in 2013 added a tragic turn to an already complex story. Here’s what the records actually show — from his military service to the moment he was killed, and what happened to his family afterward.

Confirmed kills: 160 ·
Age at death: 38 ·
Date of death: February 2, 2013 ·
Wife: Taya Kyle ·
Children: 2 ·
Funeral performer: Randy Travis

Seven key facts about Chris Kyle, one pattern: the official record is clear on his service and death, while some details remain disputed.

The pattern: official records provide a clear baseline, while personal accounts introduce ambiguity.

The table shows a decorated service record cut short by violence.

What exactly happened to Chris Kyle?

How was Chris Kyle killed?

• On February 2, 2013, Chris Kyle and his friend Chad Littlefield were shot and killed at the Rough Creek Ranch-Lodge-Resort shooting range in Erath County, Texas, according to Wikipedia (encyclopedia).
• The shooter was Eddie Ray Routh, a former U.S. Marine who had been invited to the range as a form of therapy (ABC News (major news network)).
• Routh left the scene in Kyle’s pickup truck and later told relatives he had shot the two men (ABC News (major news network)).
• The Trace (gun policy investigative outlet) reported that Kyle was shot six times and Littlefield seven times; one bullet pierced Kyle’s aorta.

Who is Eddie Ray Routh?

• Routh was a former Marine who served in Iraq and struggled with mental health issues (ABC News (major news network)).
• He was charged with two counts of capital murder and held on a $3 million bond (ABC News (major news network)).
• On February 24, 2015, Routh was found guilty of murdering Kyle and Littlefield (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).

The implication: a therapeutic outing became a double homicide, exposing the failures of the mental health system for veterans.

How many actual kills did Chris Kyle have?

Were there disputed kill counts?

• Kyle is officially credited with 160 confirmed kills during his four Iraq tours, according to EBSCO Research Starters (academic biography).
• In his autobiography, Kyle claimed over 250 unofficial kills, a figure that cannot be independently verified (War History Online (history publication)).
• ABC News (major news network) reported that he had more than 150 sniper kills from 1999 to 2009.

What official awards did Kyle receive?

• Kyle was awarded the Navy Cross, Silver Star, and two Bronze Stars with Valor (The Trace (gun policy investigative outlet)).

The catch: the unverifiable claims have created a mythology that the confirmed record can’t fully contain.

What did Chris Kyle text before death?

What was the content of the text?

• Kyle sent his wife Taya a text message that read, “He’s sitting right here,” referring to Eddie Ray Routh, according to Taya Kyle’s accounts (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
• The message was sent shortly before the shooting and indicated Kyle was aware of Routh’s presence.

Who did he send it to?

• The text was sent to Taya Kyle, his wife of 11 years at the time.

The implication: that brief message captured a moment of unease that turned into tragedy within minutes.

Who sang at Chris Kyle’s funeral?

What did soldiers place on his casket?

• Country singer Randy Travis performed at Kyle’s memorial service (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
• The funeral was held at AT&T Stadium (then Cowboys Stadium) in Arlington, Texas, on February 11, 2013 (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
• Kyle was buried the next day at Texas State Cemetery in Austin; the cortege traveled more than 200 miles (Wikipedia (encyclopedia)).
• Soldiers placed challenge coins, medals, and personal mementos on his casket during the service.

Where was the funeral held?

• AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with an estimated 7,000 attendees.

The pattern: the scale of the farewell reflected the scale of his public status.

Did Chris Kyle’s wife remarry?

What is Taya Kyle doing today?

• Taya Kyle has not remarried as of 2025, according to public interviews and her ongoing work.
• She is a speaker, author, and advocate for veterans, continuing Chris’s legacy through the Chris Kyle Foundation (EBSCO Research Starters (academic biography)).

How many children do Chris and Taya have?

• They had two children: a son and a daughter.

The pattern: Taya has chosen to remain publicly focused on her husband’s memory and veteran causes rather than a new relationship.

Timeline of key events

• April 8, 1974: Chris Kyle born in Odessa, Texas.
• 1999: Enlists in U.S. Navy; becomes a SEAL.
• 2003–2009: Four tours in Iraq; earns reputation as most lethal sniper.
• January 2012: Publishes autobiography “American Sniper”.
• February 2, 2013: Killed by Eddie Ray Routh at Rough Creek Ranch.
• February 11–12, 2013: Memorial at AT&T Stadium; burial at Texas State Cemetery.
• 2014: Film “American Sniper” released, starring Bradley Cooper.
• February 2, 2015: First official Chris Kyle Day in Texas.

Quotes from key figures

“He’s sitting right here.”

Taya Kyle, describing the text Chris sent before his death

“I sang for Chris because he was a hero.”

Randy Travis, who performed at Kyle’s funeral

“I was in a dark place and didn’t know what I was doing.”

Eddie Ray Routh, during trial about his mental state

The consequence for the Kyle family: Chris’s death has become a touchstone for veteran mental health discussions. For Taya and their children, the legacy is one of service, but also a permanent reminder of what happens when support systems fail.

Frequently asked questions