Tenn. man hiding in tree questioned in death investigation

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) – A death investigation is underway at the intersection of Montvale and Garner road in Maryville after Blount County first responders found a woman dead in an apartment building.

Marian O’Briant, public information officer with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, said approximately 30 minutes after the body was discovered, a K9 team found a man hiding in a nearby tree.

“At around 8:15 this morning we responded to a death at this apartment building,” O’Briant said. “Right now we have an active crime scene and crime scene investigators are on the scene assessing the scene, interviewing witnesses and just trying to figure out what happened.”

According to the Blount County Sheriff’s Office, the man was taken into custody and is being held at the Blount County Detention Facility, where he is being questioned.

The victim was taken to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center where an autopsy will be performed.

A similar incident happened at the apartment building in December 2014 when a man’s body was found.

“I think it’s just terrible and it’s a woman this time…last time was a man,” Kathy Pridemore said. “Something’s going on.”