Another Search for Clues in Missing Man Investigation Turns Up More Human Bones and Clothing

April 17, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

A little more than a month after a human skull was found near Center Hill Lake more remains, keys, and clothing were located today (Monday) during an expanded search effort in the same area near where Matthew Wayne Braswell was last seen sixteen months ago.

“Today (Monday) we found more remains including a scapula (shoulder blade) and a mandible (jawbone). We also found a portion of a pair of blue jean denim shorts fitting the description that Braswell was wearing and a key lanyard with keys on it. An area of about 10 acres was searched and the terrain was very rough making the effort very difficult. We will continue our investigation and will hopefully have some answers at a later date,” said Sheriff Patrick Ray.

Participating in the search were officers of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, members of the Smithville-DeKalb Rescue Squad, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, Rangers from the Corps of Engineers, and members from the Middle Tennessee State University Anthropology Team.

The first clue in the disappearance of Braswell turned up on Thursday, March 9 when a human skull was found only 1.6 (aerial) miles from where Braswell was last seen on December 17, 2021 after he fled on foot from the scene of a crash on Ponder Road off Cookeville Highway. He was age 29 at the time.

More evidence including a shoe, sock, and a bone surfaced during a follow-up visual search in the same area on Wednesday, March 15. Sheriff Ray said at the time that the sock and shoe were consistent with the clothing Braswell was wearing when last seen.

The Anthropology team determined the bones found today (Monday) to be human, and as they did in the previous discoveries, investigators will send the remains to the state medical examiner’s office for further examinations by certified labs to determine identity.

Sheriff Ray said he wishes to thank all those who took part in the search effort Monday.

About the Middle Tennessee State University Anthropology Team:

The Forensic Anthropology Search and Recovery (FASR) Team is a group of MTSU students selected through a competitive application process. These students excel academically and professionally and volunteer their time assisting at skeletal crime scenes and the morgue. They receive specialized training in human Osteology and forensic scene recovery.

This team is under the direction of MTSU professor and forensic anthropologist Dr. Tiffany Saul. Dr. Saul received her training at the University of Tennessee at the internationally known Body Farm.

April 17, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

More people are living in DeKalb County today than three years ago.

According to the latest estimates of the US Census, DeKalb County’s population has grown by 4.6% since the 2020 census increasing by 925 residents from 20,078 to 21,003.

Percentagewise, DeKalb County has grown faster in just two years than any surrounding county except for Wilson according to the Census Bureau.

Tennessee was the fastest growing state by number from 2020 to 2022 and for the first time in history has more than seven million residents surpassing Massachusetts as the 15th most populous state in the nation.

“2020 was when the last census was done and that was the starting point for these estimates,” said John Dunn, Director of Communications for the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office in an interview with WJLE Friday.

“In 2020, DeKalb County’s population was 20,078 but by 2022 the estimated population was at 21,003, a 4.6% growth of 925 residents,” Dunn said.

“Tennessee was the fastest growing state by number from 2020 to 2022 adding over 140,000 residents,” Dunn continued. “The total state population also climbed above 7 million for the first time in history. Our total state population is now 7,051,339 which puts us at the 15th most populous state. We surpassed Massachusetts,” said Dunn.

“Just in the past year, from 2021 to 2022, Tennessee added about 83,000 new residents and 82,000 of those are people who moved into the state. The other thousand can be attributed to births overtaking deaths. We have more people being born than who are dying in the state. I believe that 82,000 is the highest number of people who have moved into our state in a single year in the history of that data being collected,” said Dunn.

Much of the growth in Tennessee is in the middle Tennessee area. In fact, Rutherford, Montgomery, Williamson, and Wilson Counties in middle Tennessee are in the top 100 in the United States for growth by number since 2020. The other Tennessee county making the top 100 nationally for growth is Knox County in east Tennessee.

Dunn said Comptroller Jason Mumpower believes this trend will continue because of Tennessee’s appeal.
“What the comptroller has said is that people are coming to our state because of good climate, natural beauty and lower taxes. The pandemic taught people they could work from home, from anywhere, and they are coming to states that have good climate, and natural beauty as Tennessee does and when you combine state and local taxes, Tennessee has the lowest taxes of any state in the country and there is no income tax here. In fact of the seven fastest growing states in the nation, six of those first seven are in the southeast or Texas where states don’t have an income tax. The 7th state is Arizona so people like sunshine and no income tax,” he said.

Dunn said the Comptroller believes this growth in population is a good thing for Tennessee.

“Our state is always willing to accommodate new residents. We have plenty of rural counties in Tennessee with lots of land available. Certainly, when you have more people, it does have an effect on infrastructure, but I think the growth at this point is something the state can handle right now. I believe the comptroller would consider it a good thing,” he said.

DeKalb County experienced a 7.2% growth in population from 2010-20 according to the 2020 Census increasing from 18,723 to 20,078, a growth of 1,355 people.

April 17, 2023
By:

Smithville Elementary held a “Careers on Wheels” event Friday, April 14 for the students.

Different career professionals who have jobs involving vehicles, came and parked in the SES parking lot.

Students were able to walk around to each vehicle and the participants told the students information about their careers. They also had hands-on activities and prizes for the students. All who attended had fun and the students had the opportunity to learn about careers in our area. Smithville Elementary greatly appreciates all of those who volunteered their time and resources for this fun and educational event!

The participants were:

Smithville Fire Department
Dekalb EMTs
DTC Communications
TriGreen Equipment
Middle TN Natural Gas
TWRA
Smithville Electric
State Troopers
Smithville Police Department
Dekalb Sheriff’s Department
Ollie the Otter from TN Tech (Seatbelt Safety)

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