The hunt for a homicide suspect with a violent criminal past ended Wednesday when authorities found what they believe is the man's decomposing body on the banks of the Sequatchie River.
Sheriff's deputies in Marion County believe they have recovered the remains of Michael Shirley, whom they had sought on homicide charges since his girlfriend, 27-year-old Brandi Duba, was killed Nov. 8.
"We haven't positively identified the body, but we believe it's the suspect we were looking for, Michael Shirley," Marion County Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett said Wednesday. "He was in the water several days, but we have recovered a billfold, so I'm sure we will identify him."
Sheriff Burnett said the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and search and rescue crews were canvassing the Sequatchie River when they found the body near Ketner's Mill around 3 p.m. CST.
TBI spokeswoman Kristin Helm confirmed a body was found, but she would not confirm the identity.
The cause of death was not immediately known, and Sheriff Burnett said the remains were sent to Nashville for autopsy.
Law enforcement officers believe Mr. Shirley, 29, beat and stabbed Ms. Duba as her children slept in the living room of the home shared by the couple. He was placed on the TBI's Top 10 Most Wanted list and a $1,000 reward was offered.
Mr. Shirley had a violent criminal history dating back to 1999 that included assaulting a police officer and aggravated assault.
The sheriff said the body was found not far from where Ms. Duba's wrecked and burned vehicle was found after her slaying.
Adam Crisp covers education issues for the Times Free Press. He joined the paper's staff in 2007 and initially covered crime, public safety, courts and general assignment topics. Prior to Chattanooga, Crisp was a crime reporter at the Savannah Morning News and has been a reporter and editor at community newspapers in southeast Georgia. In college, he led his student paper to a first-place general excellence award from the Georgia College Press Association. He earned ...
It's extremely sad to see how these two young people's lives were destroyed at such young ages. I don't know the girl who lost her life. It's just sad. I do, however, know the suspect. He used to be my neighbor. The way people are brought up, by parents or single parents....has very much to do with how their lives end, or proceed on. It is also sad that since this has happened, no one has a comment? Do people just not care? Or do they just not take the time to care? Do they just not know what to say? Better think hard about how you are or aren't raising your kids.
We care nsg1957, I guess its just scary not knowing who your neighbors are! And any adult should know better than to murder someone. I wouldn't blame it all on the parents of these sick minded ppl. good call tho :)
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