Victim's Body Found In Trash Can Behind False Wall

"NASHVILLE, TN — South Precinct detectives are investigating a bizarre murder/suicide case in South Nashville.

"According to police, the victims were a girlfriend and boyfriend who apparently died days apart. It happened at a home at 928 Ilawood Drive in South Nashville.

"On Monday, officers responded to the home to conduct a welfare check at the request of Jesse Meece's mother. She was told by his employer that he had not been to work since October 30.

"When officers entered Meece's home, they found the 45-year-old dead on the couch from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.

"Officers recalled they had responded to the same home on October 29 for a welfare check on Meece's girlfriend, 45-year-old Beth Straub. Straub's employer had called police on October 29 after she did not show up to work.

"During that welfare check, officers spoke to Meece who was at the home and told police Straub had left and did not return after an argument. He allowed officers to check inside the home, and they did not find Straub.

"According to police reports, officers and crime scene experts found evidence of recent construction in the basement during the investigation Monday night. They discovered a makeshift wall which was covering a 96-gallon wheeled trash can. Attached to the trash can was a PVC pipe that had been run into the home's sewer line. When the lid of the trash can was lifted, detectives found a Plexiglas window surrounded by a foam sealant.

"The trash can was taken intact to the Medical Examiner's Office where it was unsealed. A woman's body thought to be that of Straub's was found inside, along with some deodorizer.

"The police department has no record of any trouble between Meece and Straub.

"The investigation is ongoing."

From newschannel5.com...