GRAINGER COUNTY, Tenn. — Editor's Note: The Grainger County Sheriff's Office originally spelled Deven's name wrong.
UPDATE (5/28): The Grainger County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are still investigating what led to the double homicide that happened on Rocky Springs Road.
Authorities have since identified the two victims as 32-year-old Deven McDaniel and 49-year-old Jonathan Atkins. The cause of death is currently unknown at this time.
The TBI released a statement as well after both people were identified. That statement is available below.
"On Saturday, at the request of 4th Judicial District Attorney General Jimmy Dunn, TBI agents began working alongside the Grainger County Sheriff’s Office in investigating a double homicide that occurred along Rocky Springs Road in Bean Station. The victims have been identified as Jonathan W. Atkins (DOB: 12/14/74) of Bean Station and Deven D. McDaniel (DOB: 6/20/91) of Rogersville. At this time, the investigation remains active and ongoing."
This is a developing story and we will update the article when we learn more information.
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The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said it is helping the Grainger County Sheriff's Office with a double homicide investigation along Rocky Springs Road in Bean Station, the bureau said.
TBI said the investigation remains active and ongoing as of Monday afternoon.
Jennifer Herron lives down the road from the mobile home. She said it's shaken the community.
"What happened there is just sad," Herron said.
Few details were released about the investigation. WBIR arrived at Rocky Springs Road on Sunday evening to find a home with sheriff's tape around it.
Initially, the TBI said it was asked to help the sheriff's office with a death investigation on Saturday. On Monday, the bureau said it was a double homicide.
People in the area told WBIR that many visitors came to this address. Herron said she knew the person who lived there.
"Was a good guy who had a good heart and would do anything for anybody. He took care of his daddy. His daddy was real sick, had COPD. His daddy had raised him on his own," Herron said. "Lot of people walking down the streets up down during the night, bicycles, and they seemed to congregate through there."
A neighbor who visited his property on Monday to check on it said he was concerned after he heard the news. Wesley Maulden's family moved away from Bean Station about 20 years ago.
"Word on the street was drug activity was related to this crime," Maulden said. "As gorgeous as the scenery is and as gorgeous as some of the surrounding area is for some reason here at Bean Station, we've seen a lot of drug activity and violent crime over the last decade or so."
Herron described another concern, which included homeless people.
"This is a good community but after COVID hit we've had an influx of homeless people," Herron said. "I hope this puts a spotlight on what's happening in our community. People that need help people down on their luck resources to come here."
