The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation remained tight-lipped early this week about an investigation into the death of the 24-year-old stepdaughter of former Grundy County Sheriff Brent Myers.
Officials say there is no evidence of foul play so far, and no charges have been filed.
Jennifer Layne's body was found about 5 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of Monteagle Green Apartments at 48 Madison Ave. on the Marion County side of town. She had sustained what appeared to be injuries related to being run over by a vehicle, officials said.
A male friend of Layne's was driving the truck involved, authorities said. The driver stayed at the scene to speak with investigators.
On Tuesday, 12th Judicial District Attorney General Mike Taylor said preliminary results of a Monday autopsy indicate Layne died of blunt-force trauma, but the manner of death, meaning by homicide or accident, has not been determined.
"It appears to be an accident pending any other evidence to the contrary that comes forward," Taylor said. Final autopsy results will come later. The truck involved is being sent to the TBI lab for analysis.
"The circumstances surrounding the death are currently being investigated by agents of the TBI," TBI spokeswoman Susan Niland said in an emailed response. No arrests have been made, she said. The investigation "remains active and ongoing."
Layne and the driver of the truck had no romantic involvement and there was no indication the two had an altercation or argument, Taylor said. Taylor said the name of the driver is being withheld for the time being.
"I didn't personally feel like we should release his name with no charges being filed," Taylor said. That could change depending on the outcome of the investigation, he said.
Taylor said Monteagle Police Department Chief Virgil McNeese and a TBI agent talked with the former sheriff and his wife about the incident. Officials continue to collect details.
"We're still doing some more interviews with people who might have been witnesses," Taylor said. "We want to make sure on everything."
Taylor said toxicology tests on the driver and victim in the incident could "take a while" to be completed.
Contact staff writer Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or twitter.com/BenBenton or www.facebook.com/ben. benton1 or 423-757-6569.