Body Of Homicide Victim Found Following Wildland Fire

Park dispatch was notified of a wildland fire near the Big Tree scenic overlook at milepost 440 in Tennessee at 8:30 p.m. on Monday, December 8th. Local fire departments responded. The fire burned about 40 acres before being contained. The next morning, parkway firefighters were inspecting the fire line when they came upon a man’s body. The area was secured and rangers were notified. The FBI lead the investigation, assisted by rangers, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents and Williamson County officers. Preliminary evidence indicates that he was purposefully burned and that this action led to the wildland fire.