Man Dismembers, Freezes Wife, Leads Police On Death Chase

"SPRINGFIELD, TN — A Tennessee man wanted for killing, partially dismembering and stuffing his wife’s body into a garage freezer shot and killed himself on Interstate 65 north near the 12-mile marker in Simpson County on Friday afternoon.

"The man, later identified as Joseph Parker, called 911 in Springfield, Tenn., at 2:45 a.m. Friday, identified himself and said he had killed his wife, Samantha Parker, Springfield Police Chief David Thompson said.

"When police arrived at the 246 Clydesdale Lane home, they found Samantha Parker’s partially dismembered body stuffed inside a freezer in the garage, Thompson said.

"Police don’t know how long she had been dead. The scene at the Parkers’ home had been partially cleaned up, and Joseph Parker was gone when investigators arrived, Thompson said.

"On the chilling 911 tape, a man who identified himself as `Joe` said in a soft, matter-of-fact voice that he shot his wife with a .38-caliber handgun and put her in a freezer in the garage.

"About 3:20 p.m. Friday, Tennessee authorities notified Kentucky State Police that they were pursuing Parker, KSP Post 3 spokesman Jonathan Biven said.

"State police troopers were able to get behind Parker at the 10-mile marker on Interstate 65 north. Parker drove his vehicle to the 12.6-mile mark, pulled over onto the shoulder and shot himself, Biven said. His self-inflicted shooting remains under investigation."

Read more at bgdailynews.com...

Ex-Boyfriend Won't Be Appearing In Court

"KODAK, TN — The Sevier County Sheriff's Office has identified two people involved in a double shooting that occurred Thursday in Kodak.

"Officers say Browning Burgess, 69, of Newport, shot Audrey McCroskey, 46, around 10:10 p.m. at a home on 4004 Bent Road.

"They arrived and found Burgess dead and McCroskey in a bedroom with a gunshot wound to the face.

"A witness told investigators that Burgess was an estranged boyfriend of McCroskey and that he had come to the home about 30 minutes before the shooting.

"They say Burgess went into the bedroom, shot McCroskey and then returned to the living room and turned the gun on himself.

"Burgess had an active temporary order of protection on him taken out by the victim on October 15, 2014 and Burgess was due in court Friday.

"McCroskey was flown to UT Medical Center where she is listed in critical condition."

From local8now.com...

Estranged Wife Lured To Her Death

"PORTLAND, TN — Two people were found dead inside their home Tuesday night after an apparent murder/suicide.

"Portland police said Richard Hinsley, 47, and Tammy Hodges, 36, were found dead inside their home just around 8 p.m. Tuesday after a family member showed up at the home.

"The husband and wife lived at 301 Jackson Rd.

"Police said Hinsley contacted Hodges, his estranged wife, to come by the house to talk about their relationship. Police said this was an attempt to lure her in the home to kill her.

"Police believe Hodges arrived between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. As she sat on the couch, he shot her once in the head and then shot himself.

"When Hodges didn't return home, Hodge's nephew went to the residence and discovered them.

"`My sister did not deserve to die,` said Diana Finley, Hodges' sister in-law. `I'm astonished. I feel like I'm in a dream.`

"Between 1985 and 1996, Hinsley was convicted of several crimes including aggravated assault, robbery with a deadly weapon, attempted second-degree murder and aggravated kidnapping, according to the Tennessee Department of Corrections. He was released from prison in 2011."

From WSMV.com...

Three Dead, Two Escape Shooting Rampage

"MEMPHIS, TN — The man who Memphis Police said shot and killed two of his children later died at the Regional Medical Center.

"The murders happened Friday night in the 400 block of Chinaberry Drive.

"Investigators say 42-year-old Abel Gomez killed his 5-year-old daughter Lupita, who was in a wheelchair and his 24-year-old son Gustavo.

"An 11-year-old son was able to escape as did the man’s wife.

"When police arrived, they found the children dead and Abel Gomez with a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"Police were at the house on a domestic disturbance call involving a man and his wife when the shooting happened."

From wreg.com...

Vacationing Florida Couple Found Shot In Tennessee Cabin

"SEVIERVILLE, TN — A Florida couple died Monday in a Sevier County rental cabin in what authorities have deemed a murder/suicide.

"The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that authorities were alerted at 11:50 a.m. by a woman who said two people had been shot in the cabin at 2560 Treehouse Lane, according to a news release from the Sevier County Sheriff’s Office.

"Officers arrived to find Genevieve Crosby, 48, lying on a bed with several gunshot wounds. They found Richard Crosby, 52, both of Tarpon Springs, Fla., dead on the bedroom floor from a single gunshot wound.

"An ambulance rushed Genevieve Crosby to a nearby hospital, but paramedics said she died before arriving at LeConte Medical Center, according to authorities.

"Authorities said the couple were married and were vacationing in Sevierville with Genevieve Crosby’s father, mother and her daughter.

"The investigation showed Richard Crosby first shot his wife and then turned the weapon on himself."

From tricities.com...

Relative Finds Bodies In Apartment

"JOHNSON CITY, TN — Police have released the names of a married couple who were involved in what officers believe was a murder/suicide that occurred at Brush Creek Apartments this weekend.

"On Sunday at around 2:46 p.m., Johnson City police found the bodies of Harry Lynch, 76, and Tina Ellis Lynch, 43, dead from apparent gunshot wounds inside Apartment 605 at 2914 Watauga Road.

"In a press release issued on Monday afternoon, police said their initial investigation and the preliminary reports from the William L. Jenkins Forensic Center indicated the incident was a murder/suicide. Additionally, police said, evidence indicates that Harry Lynch shot and killed his wife before taking his own life.

"On Sunday, police told Press staff that a relative called 911 after he or she found the Lynches' bodies inside their apartment. Upon their arrival, police said, they found the couple dead, along with a handgun, at the scene.

"Police estimated the incident took place sometime Sunday morning, adding that witnesses reported seeing the Lynches alive earlier that day. Because no witnesses reported seeing or hearing the shooting itself, police said, the exact time at which the incident took place was unknown.

"Despite the declaration of a murder/suicide, police said they were leaving the investigation open pending the results of the autopsy."

Source: Johnson City Press...

Neighbors Hear Gunshots, Police Find Bodies

"DUNLAP, TN — A couple in Sequatchie County are dead after police say the husband shot his wife of 18 years and then turned the gun on himself.

"The scene unfolded the afternoon of July 5, and police were called to the scene when neighbors heard gunshots from the secluded double-wide trailer at 51 Finley Circle, said Jody Lockhart, a detective with the Sequatchie County Sheriff's Office.

"The couple left behind a 6-year-old boy who has been placed with his grandparents. The boy was not in the home during the shooting, Lockhart said."

From timesfreepress.com...

No-Show Prompts Gruesome Welfare Check

"BLUFF CITY, TN — A Bluff City couple were found dead in their home over the weekend, with police saying the incident appears to be a murder/suicide.

"According to Bluff City Police Chief Greg Depew, the discovery was spurred by a Friday afternoon welfare check at 238 Woodland Drive. Depew says the request was made due to resident Bobby McDonald, 57, not appearing for work, where he had an excellent attendance history.

"At approximately 3:50 p.m. officers arrived at the mobile home. Both McDonald and his wife, Diann McDonald, 56, were located with fatal gunshot wounds. Their bodies have been sent for autopsies, which Depew said should establish the times of death.

"Police report a firearm was recovered from the residence, with the incident believed to be a murder/suicide. As of Monday morning Depew declined to release any additional information on the incident, including who may have pulled the trigger.

"Depew said there was no history of disturbances or domestic violence with the couple."

From TimesNews.net...

Sister Stabs Brother To Death, Botches Suicide Bid

"RED BANK, TN — A Red Bank man is dead after police said his younger sister stabbed him to death. Red Bank Police Chief Tim Christol said it appears to be a botched murder/suicide.

"It happened in the 500 block of Lullwater Rd. shortly before 7 a.m. on Tuesday. Police found Glenda Forrest, 63, in her bedroom with self-inflicted stab wounds to the stomach. Her brother, Donald `Donnie` Barnes, 65, was found stabbed to death in his bedroom.

"It started with a welfare check Tuesday morning, after a concerned cousin told police Forrest had called and admitted to killing her older brother.

"`She let them know that she just killed her brother, and she wanted to make sure somebody would come and watch the dogs,` Christol said.

"When police arrived, they heard Forrest in pain inside of the home. She wouldn't answer the door, Christol said, so officers forced their way in. The siblings lived together at the home on Lullwater Rd., and neighbors said the two had been fighting for years.

"Tuesday morning's fight ended in murder.

"`We're working off the theory of a murder/suicide right now,` Christol said. `The injuries to [Forrest] seemed to be a lot more than superficial.`

"Christol said officers were no strangers to the home—or the sibling's strained relationship. Police have been called to the house many times throughout the years.

"`Some of them have been disorders, some domestic assaults, some medical calls,` he said."

Read more at wrcbtv.com...

Mom, Son Survive Botched Murder/Suicide

"LOUDON, TN — A Loudon mom is in jail after police say she tried to kill her mentally challenged son, and then herself.

"51-year-old Martha Brewer is charged with attempted first degree murder of her son, 24-year-old Casey Hogan.

"Loudon Police Detective Brian Jenkins says they first got a call of an attempted suicide about 2 p.m. on Sunday. But soon after they arrived, police discovered the scene was much worse. They say Brewer gave her son an overdose of sleeping pills, then cut his wrist. After that, she did the same thing to herself.

"`Mrs. Brewer had given Casey what she hoped to be an overdose of sleeping pills. When the sleeping pills failed to take his life, she then cut his wrist with a small kitchen knife. After that, thinking that she'd been successful in taking his life, she attempted to take her own by taking an overdose of the same type of sleeping pills and cutting her own wrist,` Jenkins said.

"Jenkins says Hogan has been released from the hospital and he's now staying with family.

"Brewer is being held at the Loudon County Jail. Her bail is set at $100,000. She has no prior criminal history in Loudon."

From WATE.com...

Police Find Young Couple Shot

"CHURCH HILL, TN — A Hawkins County woman has died after being shot in the head by her live-in boyfriend who then shot and killed himself.

"Deputies were called to a home at 111 California Avenue in Church Hill around 2:15 p.m. Tuesday.

"They found Sierra Nichole Smith, 21, suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. Thomas Kirk McCracken, 20, was found dead, also with a single gunshot wound to the head.

"The Hawkins County Sheriff's Office says their investigation revealed that McCracken shot Smith then turned the gun on himself.

"Smith was taken to Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center where she later died. Her body will be taken for an autopsy.

"The couple's three-month-old daughter and McCracken's grandmother were home at the time of the shooting.

"The investigation is ongoing. No motive has been determined at this time."

From WATE.com...

Police Suspect Caregiver's Stress Lead To Incident

"RICEVILLE, TN — Two people are dead after an apparent murder/suicide in McMinn County.

"McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy is calling it a tragic situation involving two elderly people in the same family. The call to 911 come in just before 8 p.m. Tuesday from a home on 352 County Rd. 754 in Riceville.

"`The male person on the line gave the address and said 'murder suicide',` said Sheriff Guy. `That's all they would say was 'murder suicide'.`

"The troubling call came in just minutes before tragedy. When dispatchers tried to call back, the line was busy.

"Officers arrived within minutes. Catherine Dickson, 67, answered the door and said she just got out of the shower.

"`She said she was talking to her husband prior to getting in the shower, and that she couldn't find her husband anywhere,` the Sheriff said.

"Deputies found her 65-year-old husband, Kenneth Dickson, in the backyard with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Dickson's aunt, 85-year-old Helena Spect, was smothered to death in her bed.

"Sheriff Guy said it was a `strange` case. Kenneth Dickson did not have a criminal past. Investigators found notes he had left in the home and learned of a strained relationship between the man and his aunt.

"`He had assumed care for his elderly aunt when no one else would,` Sheriff Guy said, adding the elderly woman was a stroke victim who hadn't been living at the residence for long.

"`She just sort of demanded a certain level of care due to her health problems that perhaps, and we're speculating a little bit here, that the pressure of that just wore on him for some reason and caused him to do what he did.`

"MCSO is still investigating. No charges have been filed."

From WRCB-TV...

Maintenance Crew Finds Bodies Of Mother, Son

"COOKEVILLE, TN — An apparent murder/suicide at the Willow Park Apartments complex is being investigated by Cookeville police.

"Yesterday afternoon, Penelope Knowles, 52, and her son, Keller Knowles, 18, were found deceased in Mrs. Knowles’ apartment on South Willow Avenue.

"Police say at this time it is believed Mrs. Knowles `shot her son and then took her own life,` and they are investigating the incident as a murder/suicide.

"Investigation revealed both Mrs. Knowles and her son were shot with a small caliber firearm, which was recently purchased by the mother, according to police. The handgun was found near Mrs. Knowles’s body, police say.

"Maintenance personnel reportedly found the bodies unresponsive and lying on the apartment floor around 3:30 p.m.

"How long the two have been deceased is still being determined. Both bodies have been sent for autopsy, police say.

"Police state they `will continue to determine a motive for these actions.`"

From herald-citizen.com...

Gunfire Ends Divorce Plans

"GALLATIN, TN — A man and a woman were found shot to death inside a Gallatin apartment Wednesday afternoon in what police are now calling a murder/suicide.

"Officers responded to the Wellington Farms Apartments on Big Station Camp Boulevard shortly before 4 p.m. to find Christopher Wilchenski, 28, and his wife, Kaitlyn, dead.

"Police said the couple was in the process of getting a divorce.

"Kaitlyn sustained multiple gunshots to the head and Christopher sustained a single gunshot to the head.

"A large caliber handgun was recovered at the scene.

"Neighbors told police they heard arguing from the couple's apartment earlier in the day."

From wate.com...

Son Finds Elderly Parents Shot Dead

"MT. JULIET, TN — An elderly Mt. Juliet couple was found dead in their home on 1103 Weston Drive about 11 a.m. Tuesday.

"Police say the couple's son discovered the bodies after being unable to reach his parents by phone. Both victims appear to have died of gun shot wounds, according to police.

"Neighbors identify the couple as Hubert and Betty Wilburn. They say Mr. Wilburn was struggling to care for his wife who was battling serious health problems.

"Mt. Juliet police won't confirm it was a murder/suicide, but public information officer Tyler Chandler says there were no signs of forced entry. He went onto say police are not actively looking for any suspects and they have no reason to believe anyone else in the neighborhood is in danger.

"An exact cause of death will be determined after police get the results of the autopsies."

From WZTV...

Bodies Found In Locked Bathroom

"SYMRNA, TN — Smyrna Police said the shooting deaths of a man and a woman at an apartment complex on Thursday night appeared to be a murder-suicide.

"Police said they received a hang up call to 911 around 7:20 p.m. from an apartment at the Village Lake Apartments on 117 Village Lake Drive.

"When officers arrived at the home, the front door had been kicked open. They found a 2-year-old child walking around unharmed.

"Officers then discovered two bodies in a locked, upstairs bathroom. Police identified them as 28-year-old Kayleigh Dupont and 32-year-old Justin Bennett. Bennett was the brother of Dupont's boyfriend, who police said was at work at the time of the shootings.

"The preliminary investigation indicated that Bennett kicked in the front door, confronted Dupont in the bathroom, and shot her. Police said he then shot himself.

"Police said they believe the shootings stemmed from a domestic violence call at the home on Tuesday.

"`A lot of this stemmed from—there was a domestic situation there on the 14th of January with the grandfather of Kayleigh's child was arrested for domestic assault,` said Smyrna Police Chief Kevin Arnold.

"No other details were released.

"The investigation was ongoing. Police will try to enhance the 911 tape to see who made the call, and determine if anyone else may have been involved.

"The child, who belonged to Dupont, was placed into protective custody."

From newschannel5.com...

Police Find Bodies With Multiple Gunshot Wounds

"KNOXVILLE, TN — The Knox County Sheriff's Office says a couple involved in an apparent murder/suicide in West Knox County were shot multiple times.

"Officials say a neighbor heard gunshots around 6:30 p.m. Thursday on Bonnie Roach Lane and called 911.

"`We have a man and woman, a husband and wife,` Martha Dooley with KCSO said. `The couple that lived at the house up the street were both found shot to death and we're calling it, the preliminary investigation, appears to be murder/suicide.`

"KCSO says both the husband and wife were shot multiple times and there's no history of domestic calls at the residence involving the couple.

"The identities of the victims have not been released at this time. Autopsies are being performed Friday.

"A neighbor [said] that two bullet holes struck his living room window during the shooting.

"The investigation is ongoing."

From WATE.com...

Police Decline To Speculate On Attempted Double Murder/Suicide

"MEMPHIS, TN — The Memphis Police Department released new details Thursday in what appears to be a murder-suicide that left two dead and one critically injured in a Binghamton apartment complex the day before.

"After a day of silence from the department about the circumstances of the bloody encounter, the murder/suicide investigation appears to confirm the speculations of neighbors and onlookers who watched as police secured the crime scene after the shootings.

"When officers reached the scene at 1:30 Wednesday afternoon, a 51-year-old woman was already lying on the walkway outside the second-floor apartment suffering from a gunshot wound.

"Inside they found a 24-year-old woman and a 34-year-old man shot dead. A 6-month-old baby who appeared to be unharmed was lying next to the dead man. The infant was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital as a precaution.

"There were also two other children inside the apartment, ages 4 and 3. Both were unharmed, police said, and they have since been released into the care of a family member.

"The injured woman remained in critical condition at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis late Thursday.

"Police have not released the names of any of the victims, and did not specify which of the adults they suspect did the shooting.

"The authorities have also declined to speculate on motives behind the shootings."

Source: The Commercial Appeal...

Couple Found Dead During Welfare Check

"MARYVILLE, TN — A Maryville couple were found dead in their home at 727 Sam Houston School Road as the result of an apparent murder/suicide on Saturday.

"Jennifer Marie Rust, 39, and Matthew Aaron Rust, 37, were both found dead at their residence early Sunday morning, according to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office.

"Deputies were dispatched to the Rust’s home early Sunday morning on a welfare check on Jennifer Rust after she failed to report to work.

"They found the couple’s bodies in a bedroom inside the home. The Criminal Investigation Division also responded to the scene.

"During the investigation, preliminary results of the autopsies performed on the Rusts were consistent with a murder/suicide perpetrated by Matthew Rust, according to the sheriff’s office. It was not disclosed what kind of force was used during the incident."

Read more at The Daily Times...

Deadly Love

"MILLINGTON, TN — Two people were found dead at a house in Millington Monday morning. One of the victims is confirmed to be an art teacher from Millington Central High School.

"The Millington Police Department is investigating the deaths as a murder-suicide.

"According to family members, Amy Lange and her estranged husband, Mark Perry, were found dead at a home located on 3829 Oakhurst Avenue.

"Lange was highly regarded as a Shelby County Schools teacher. She was previously honored as MCHS Teacher of the Year, as well as SCS Teacher of the Year.

"Mark Perry's father, James, said his son was struggling with the couple's breakup. The two were estranged, but still legally married.

"`Well it hurts, but I mean, it wasn't unexpected,` he said. `He truly, truly, truly loved that woman. That's what killed them both.`"

Full story at wmctv.com...