News
March 13, 2023
By: Dwayne Page
As investigators continue searching for clues in the disappearance of Brittany Miller, there may be a break in the 15-month-old case of another missing person.
Sheriff Patrick Ray said Monday a human skull was found Thursday near Center Hill Lake only 1.6 (aerial) miles from where Matthew Wayne 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. While he can’t yet confirm that the skull is the remains of Braswell, Sheriff Ray said there is a strong possibility, and his family has been notified of the discovery.
“He (Braswell) is the only missing person that we have a report on anywhere near this area,” said Sheriff Ray.
The skull has been sent to an anthropologist for identification. If it is Braswell, Sheriff Ray said speculation is that he may have died from injuries sustained in the crash or from hypothermia due to the cold weather on the day of his disappearance. After the crash, Investigators believe Braswell tried to flee on foot through the woods from Ponder Road back across Cookeville Highway enroute to a residence from where he started out that morning near the lake but that he may have gotten lost.
“While out for a walk, someone on the lake shore came upon what appeared to be a skull only about 50 yards from the water Thursday afternoon. It was reported at 2:57 p.m.. We (investigators) had the Smithville-DeKalb County Rescue Squad and TWRA pick us up by boat at the ramp near Lakeview Mountain Estates and take us to the site which was better accessible by water. Detectives from my department and I went to the scene along with an investigator of the District Attorney’s Office and the County Medical Examiner. We found what we believed to be a human skull. That was the only (body part). There was no jaw but some teeth were in the skull. It appeared the skull had lodged into a fallen tree off the side of a very steep bluff. Investigators searched the ridge atop the bluff but could find no other bones or evidence. Another search of the area is also planned with Middle Tennessee State University Anthropologists, who have examined the skull and determined that it is human. We will send it off to see if any DNA can be extracted to determine if there is a match with Braswell or some other missing person from another county,” said Sheriff Ray.
Prior to the discovery of the skull, Sheriff Ray said plans were for his department to organize and conduct another intensive search for Braswell as had been done Saturday in the Brittany Miller case.
Braswell, age 29 at the time, was a passenger of a 2006 Chevy Tahoe, driven by 26-year-old Danny Phillips of McMinnville when they were spotted by a resident going through the mail of his mailbox on Ponder Road on December 17, 2021.
As the resident came out of his home to confront them, the truck sped away but then went out of control and struck several trees at the edge of the road. The two men then bailed out of the truck and fled into the woods. Phillips was quickly captured but Braswell got away and hasn’t been seen since. Even Braswell’s girlfriend claimed at the time she had not heard from him. Phillips was transported by DeKalb EMS to Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital and later taken to Vanderbilt Medical Center. The Tennessee Highway Patrol worked the injury accident.
Local and state authorities including a K-9 unit conducted a ground search for Braswell that day but to no avail. A THP helicopter flight crew and multiple ground searches were done Monday December 20, 2021 but there was no sign of Braswell other than his white and gray jacket (hoodie), which was found in the woods about a half mile from the crash site near the Burton-Ponder cemetery. Since the incident, Braswell’s family hasn’t heard from him. Braswell was entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) as a missing person.
On February 5, 2022, the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department, along with multiple agencies gathered back on Ponder Road to do another land and aerial search. According to Sheriff Ray “The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department along with other agencies searched on foot for Braswell along with 12 K-9 cadaver/tracking dogs and drones, but we still didn’t find anything.”
Braswell was last seen wearing blue jeans and possibly a white tank top shirt. He stands six feet tall and weighs 145 pounds. His hair and eyes are brown in color, and he has facial tattoos with a money sign “$” over his right eye and the name “Kim” over his left eye. Braswell had a mustache/goatee. Braswell was reported not to have a primary address.
“Braswell did have active warrants against him at the time (of his disappearance) and he was aware of those warrants with an attitude to avoid law enforcement although he had never been aggressive toward officers,” said Sheriff Ray.
The District Attorney’s Office along with the Tennessee Highway Patrol has assisted the DeKalb Sheriff’s Department in the investigation.
Northside Elementary School has selected its Eagles of the Month
March 13, 2023
By:
Northside Elementary School has selected its Eagles of the Month
Every month, each homeroom teacher nominates a student out of his or her class that consistently exhibits attributes such as being on time, uses their time wisely, takes accountability for their own actions and learning, is responsible, and is respectful to both adults and peers. These students meet all of the S.O.A.R. (Safe, On time, Accountable, Respectful) expectations, give 110%, and have a kind heart. They each received an Eagle of the Month certificate and yard sign. Northside is very proud of each student!
Eagles of the Month:
Hayden Reed (5th grade) is an exceptional young lady. She works hard and is always respectful to her teachers and classmates. Her behavior is always exemplary. Congratulations Hayden!
Olivia Asberry (4th grade) is respectful to her peers and teachers. She is always willing to help and works hard in class. Congratulations Olivia!
Clara Cox (3rd grade) is a smart and friendly girl. She works hard and uses her time wisely. She always tries her best. She is friendly to others and is always willing to help. Congratulations Clara!
Anya Knisley (2nd grade) is a kind, helpful student. She is a hard worker, and she is dedicated to improving her reading. Anya is helpful to both her peers and the school staff. We can depend on her to lend a helping hand. Congratulations Anya!
DeKalb Election Commission to Honor 2022 Election Workers
March 13, 2023
By:
The DeKalb County Election Commission will honor the 2022 election workers at an event later this month.
A ‘worker reception’ is set for March 23 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the County Complex in Smithville.
“We wanted to show the workers they are appreciated and they are the ones who help make the electoral process in DeKalb County a success,” said Chairman Walteen Parker.
Light refreshments and a brief program are scheduled and workers can visit with their friends and colleagues throughout the event.
“Letters of invitation were sent the workers recently, but in case we missed someone please be aware that if you worked one or all three of the elections in 2022 you are invited,” said Administrator of Elections Dennis Stanley.
The new voting machine, which is scheduled to be used in March 2024, will be available for view and demonstration.
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