Updated: 2/27/2007 9:12:40 AM
Some crimes are so graphic, so disturbing, that they sound more like a Hollywood thriller.
More than a year ago, a Nashville man was found dismembered in East Tennessee. His killer is still out there.
"It's a cold case. It really is to the definition of it," says Rick Scarbrough, Clinton Chief of Police.
It's a crime that captured headlines when an Anderson County hunter made a gruesome discovery.
"I think the head was severed and taken to a different location to slow down the identify process," says Chief Scarbrough.
On December 22, 2005, a hunter came across a skull on a trail off the JD Yarnell Parkway in Clinton.
Investigators had no idea who the victim was or where the rest of the body could be found. They searched everywhere, hoping for some hint at the identity.
Chief Scarbrough says, "The investigators were originally checking missing person's reports from all over the country, making phone calls and checking leads."
Crews also took to the water, thinking perhaps the body might have washed ashore. They eventually discovered a shallow grave where they believe the victim's skull had been buried, then unearthed by animals.
About two weeks later, hunters in Scott County found a body without a head near a cemetery in what's known as the Smoky Creek area. It's about 40 miles away from Clinton. Investigators knew right away the two were connected.
Anthony Lay, Sheriff of Scott County says, "In my 12 and one-half years of law enforcement, it's probably one of the most incredible discoveries ever. The thought process that was put into the crime."
The victim was eventually identified as 45-year old Jarvis Maxey, a homeless man from Nashville. He had been spotted in the Knoxville area before his death.
Sheriff Lay adds, "The person or persons put a lot of thought process into this, however, they did make mistakes by leaving partial evidence, so this is a solvable case."
Investigators believe Maxey's slaying likely happened in Scott County, and the remains dispersed, but a motive and the murderer are a total mystery.
Chief Scarbrough adds, "There is someone out there that knows something about this case. it could be someone who lives here in town, could be someone who works in the JD Industrial Park, somebody who lives in Scott County."
Someone has the power to create a new headline and close this cold case for good.
Sheriff Lay says, "Any bit of information we can get to help to do justice for this person or family we would enjoy to gather that."
If you have any information you can call the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Clinton Police Department or the Scott County Sheriff's Department.
If you have a cold case you'd like us to look into, email us at news@wbir.com.
