TBI hunting two charged in Marion County homicide

Friday, January 1, 1904

photo Christina McLendon and Oscar Delgado

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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is looking for two people charged with first-degree murder in the death of a man who died after being found severely injured Saturday in Marion County, a news release states.

Warrants have been issued for Oscar Delgado, 33, and Christina McLendon, 31, both of Chattanooga.

On Saturday the victim, Jeffery Jonathon Mora, 32, originally from California, was found in an old building at 21550 U.S. Highway 41 in Marion County, according to the TBI. The Marion County Sheriff's Office received a call stating that a man was bleeding severely.

Mora was taken to Erlanger hospital, where he later died. An investigation revealed Mora was slain, but the cause is not yet known.

TBI spokeswoman Kristin Helm declined to comment on the suspects.

"The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation came up with the lead, so they are the ones that can release that information," Marion County Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett said late Tuesday.

Authorities said Delgado and McLendon may be in a green 2000 Kia Sportage with Tennessee license tag F1359R. Delgado is originally from El Salvador, and McLendon now has blond hair, authorities said.

Anyone with information on the pair is urged to call the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 423-942-2525 or the TBI at 800-TBI-FIND (800-824-3463).

Staff writer Kelsey Graham contributed to this story.