Marion County and state authorities are investigating after the body of a Tullahoma man was found in the Tennessee River after they found and extinguished a burning car.
The body was identified as that of Jinks Hartsfield IV, and an autopsy is pending, according to a statement from Marion County Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett.
Hartsfield's body was found after law enforcement and firefighters responded to extinguish the burning car that was initially reported to 911, Burnett said in the statement.
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The burning car was east of the Tennessee River bridge on Interstate 24. Firefighters from the Haletown Volunteer Fire Department responded to battle the blaze, but a state trooper who got there first had already put it out, Burnett said.
"Upon arrival, no person was observed near the car," Burnett said in the release. "Detectives arrived on the scene, and once processing the scene, discovered a male in the Tennessee River near the bank deceased."
County investigators were assisted at the scene by the Tennessee Highway Patrol Criminal Investigation Division, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Arson Division, the 12th Judicial District Violent Crimes Task Force and the District Attorney's Office, he said. The 12th Judicial District is comprised of Bledsoe, Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Sequatchie and Rhea counties.
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The investigation is continuing pending autopsy results and further investigation, the sheriff said.
— Compiled by Ben Benton
Marion County Sheriff's Office / Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett