Andrew Fine bio

Andrew Richard Fine, 40, was born in Oxford, Mississippi. His father, Robert, worked as an automobile mechanic, and his mother, Grace, was a homemaker. The Fines were a hard-working family, firmly situated in the working class.

Growing up, Andy often watched his father work on cars and, by elementary school, could identify dozens of vehicle models and describe their engines.

At school, Andy was known for his quick temper and tendency to torment the other children. At home, he even bullied Carl, his older half-brother. Carl tried to be good-natured about it and didn't always fight back, but their relationship suffered.

Most of Andy's teachers didn't like him, but he managed to stay out of serious trouble. He got into a handful of fights over the years, but was never suspended or expelled.

Andy graduated from high school with a mediocre grade point average, classmates who barely tolerated him, and a skill for working with his hands and fixing cars. With limited options, he enlisted in the Navy.

On the eve of his departure for boot camp, his father gave him a wristwatch and told him how proud he was. Robert Fine wasn't blind to his son's faults, but he loved him and had already started planning to bring Andy into his business when he got out of the Navy.

After boot camp, Andy was stationed at the naval base in Groton, Connecticut, where he repaired truck engines in the motor pool. However, his time in the Navy mirrored his school experience: he excelled technically but struggled with authority and fellow sailors.

Over time, Andy's anger escalated, leading to increasingly violent confrontations. He spent time in the brig and was assigned extra duty as punishment. His temper worsened dramatically after his father's unexpected death from a heart attack when Andy was 19. The loss devastated Andy, who started drinking and fighting even more. When Andy came up for re-enlistment, his commanding officer made it clear that it was not encouraged.

After he was discharged, Andy returned to Oxford and worked in various auto shops around town, but his attitude and temper kept him bouncing from job to job.

At the time, Carl was dating Cindy Campbell, who had always caught Andy's eye in high school. Andy lavished her with attention whenever he saw her, and soon, Cindy broke up with Carl and got together with Andy. That caused some friction between the Fine brothers, but Carl, always the peacemaker, swallowed his pride and didn't make a fuss. Not long after, Andy and Cindy married, embarking on what some described as a tumultuous relationship.

Andy went to work at Laughlin Automotive & Body Shop, where the job and the workplace suited Andy's temperament. According to former employees, fights are an accepted way of life at Laughlin Auto Body. The grease monkeys reportedly take frequent breaks during the day to watch co-workers slug it out in the gravel lot behind the shop while owner Chas Laughlin looks on.

YCSD confidential informants claim that Chas uses his most trusted employees to pick up "special" after-market auto parts from suppliers in North Mississippi and Memphis, Tennessee. Andy, always alert for an opportunity to make an easy buck, noticed some of his co-workers seemed to have extra cash about once a week and kept his eyes open for an opportunity to get a piece of the action for himself.

On August 5, Andy's wife reported him missing after he failed to return home or show up for work.