Investigators have identified a "person of interest" but are still seeking leads in the slaying of 65-year-old Monteagle, Tenn., resident Kenneth Tate, whose body was found June 2 in his home on Third Street.
The person of interest has not risen to the level of becoming a suspect since more interviews are being conducted and other evidence is under review, said 12th Judicial District Attorney General Mike Taylor.
"There weren't any major developments as of Friday," Taylor said Monday. "They're still trying to follow up new leads and talk to people who might know something about the incident."
Preliminary autopsy results indicate Tate died of blunt-force trauma "inflicted by at least one, or possibly two, instruments," Taylor said. Final autopsy results are pending. Taylor said there were no gunshot wounds found on Tate's body.
Authorities can't say whether anything was taken from Tate's home when he was killed or if there were any other motivating factors involved, Taylor said. Evidence collected from Tate's home, some described as "trace evidence," is being analyzed, he said.
TBI spokesman Josh DeVine said the state agency couldn't discuss any other details of the case yet.
The investigation was launched after a Tate family member found the man's body inside his home and notified authorities on June 2.
Monteagle police Chief Virgil McNeese said during the investigation that Tate lived alone at his home on Third Street and was well known around town. McNeese said Tate had lived in the same location, on the Grundy County side of Monteagle, since at least 1994.
Taylor and DeVine urged anyone with information about the case to call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or the Monteagle Police Department at 931-924-2077.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben.benton1 or 423-757-6569.