State and local authorities are continuing a probe into the death of a Marion County, Tennessee, man found dead at his home over the Thanksgiving holiday, and investigators could use some help from the public.
The body found by investigators in the 300 block of Griffin Lane was identified as that of New Hope resident Marty Eugene Anderson Jr., 12th Judicial District Attorney General Mike Taylor said. Anderson had been shot to death, Taylor said.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Marion County Sheriff's Office and New Hope Police Department have joined in the investigation. New Hope police Chief John Griffith couldn't be reached Tuesday for comment.
TBI officials said Anderson's body was found Nov. 29 at a home on Griffin Lane, just across the Tennessee River from South Pittsburg, which is officially listed as his hometown, agency spokesperson Josh DeVine said via email. New Hope, a town of around 1,000 people, is sandwiched between the river and the Georgia state line and encompasses a large but sparsely populated area.
"An autopsy will be performed by the Medical Examiner's Office in Nashville," DeVine said. "The investigation remains active and ongoing."
Marion County Sheriff Ronnie "Bo" Burnett said county investigators are assisting the TBI but so far there are no suspects or people of interest in the slaying.
Information has been limited since the probe began.
"The case is stalled a little bit," Burnett said Tuesday.
A snag arose for the county, he said, when Marion's detective on the case came in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19. The detective had to be quarantined, making the county's portion of the investigation a remote operation for the past few days, he said.
The detective is still healthy, Burnett said.
Anderson was a longtime self-employed mechanic in the community who was known in his younger years as a skilled dirt track and drag racer, according to obituary information at Tate Funeral Home in Jasper. Anderson was described by family as possessing "a loving spirit."
"If anybody in the public has any information on it, we would greatly appreciate a call," Burnett said.
Anyone who can help with the case is urged to contact the Marion County Sheriff's Office at 423-942-2525 or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND or 1-800-824-3463.
Contact Ben Benton at bbenton@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6569. Follow him on Twitter @BenBenton or at www.facebook.com/benbenton1.