MCMINN COUNTY, Tenn. — A group of hunters inadvertently solved a cold case dating back to 2016 after finding skeletal remains last week.
McMinn County Sheriff's Office deputies and state agents were sent to investigate human remains that were found near Athens. On Wednesday, Sheriff Joe Guy announced they had identified the remains: they belonged to a Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia man who vanished in 2016.
Guy said the man, David Abbott, was reported missing on June 23, 2016. The next day, his truck was located in McMinn County, abandoned in a driveway on County Road 126 off Highway 30 West of Athens. Officers searched the area, but could not find him.
“The remains were sent to the Forensics Center in Knoxville on Thursday,” said Sheriff Guy. “On Monday we were contacted by retired Fort Oglethorpe Detective Steve Blevins about the possibility of the person being related to a case Detective Blevins had worked in 2016. Detective Blevins contacted the Forensics Center about his cold case, and they were able to confirm the identification as David Abbott, of Fort Oglethorpe.”
According to Guy, hunters found what appeared to be skeletal human remains in the woods 200 feet off Highway 30 west of Athens near County Road 119, which is in the area of the Double C and Friendly City Body Shop. Deputies responded around 10 a.m. last Thursday after receiving the report.
“Our deputies spoke with the group of hunters, who directed them to the site several yards off the highway,” Guy said. “The area was immediately secured as a possible crime scene."
Guy said deputies processed the scene and collected the partial human remains, which were sent to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center. MCSO launched a full investigation with the help of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the District Attorney General's Office.
Family members told authorities that Abbott suffered from mental health issues and other health problems. Investigators said there was no evidence of any foul play, saying they believe he walked off into the woods and died shortly after leaving his truck.
“Detective Blevins and our officers had communicated several times over the past six years about this case,” said Sheriff Guy. “So we are fortunate to have located Mr. Abbott, confirm his identity, and bring some peace to his family. We appreciate the assistance of the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department, but especially Detective Blevins, who even in his retirement kept working diligently on this case.”