More Clues Surface in Missing Person Investigation

March 21, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

More clues have surfaced in the investigation of a human skull found earlier this month near Center Hill Lake.

The skull was found on Thursday, March 9 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. He was age 29 at the time. While he can’t yet confirm that the skull is the remains of Braswell, Sheriff Patrick Ray said an anthropologist has said that it appears to be that of a male

“My Chief Deputy, Detectives and myself went to the area of where the skull was found on Wednesday March 15. We did a visual look around the area and found a shoe, a sock, and a bone. The sock and shoe were consistent with the clothing Braswell was wearing. The bone could not be determined by a picture that was sent to the anthropologist to determine if it was human or animal. Looking at the picture that was sent of the skull, the anthropologist thought the skull was of a male. The terrain is very steep and has a lot of undergrowth and deep leaves. A team from the Office of Anthropologist and law enforcement officers will look at the scene at a later date to try to find more remains. The identity of the skull has not been determined,” said Sheriff Ray in a statement released Monday afternoon.

Last year The Cookeville Police Department issued a missing person report on a woman, 43-year-old Kathy Ann Spradlin who was last seen leaving the area of Ponder Road in DeKalb County on January 2, 2022. Investigators believe the Braswell and Spradlin cases are unrelated.

“Concerning Kathy Ann Spradlin, she is missing out of Cookeville. She was seen leaving the area of Ponder Road on January 2, 2022. Spradlin voluntarily left in a black SUV. She supposedly took her clothes, personal items and her dog. The assistant district attorney general was contacted and the missing person report was made in Cookeville. As far as we know, no one has heard from her since. The Cookeville City Police Department is working the case,” said Sheriff Ray.

Spradlin has brown hair, hazel eyes. She is 5 feet, six inches tall and weighs 105 pounds. Spradlin had a cross tattoo on her left arm, a lower back tattoo, and a vine with stars tattoo on her calf with an eyebrow piercing.

If you have information as to her whereabouts call the Cookeville Police Department at 931-526-2126.

March 20, 2023
By: Dwayne Page

Two men pulled over during a traffic stop Sunday were found with methamphetamine. One of them is a convicted felon.

56-year-old Howard Robert Mayo, Jr. of Liberty is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver; unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon; and a second offense of driving on a revoked/suspended license.

37-year-old Eric James Cox of Oakley Road, Liberty is charged with possession of methamphetamine with intent to manufacture, sell, or deliver.

Bond for Mayo is $84,000 while Cox is under a $50,000 bond. Both will make a court appearance April 6.

Sheriff Patrick Ray said that on March 19 a deputy pulled over a Ford F150 and spoke with the driver, Mayo and a passenger, Cox.

When asked by the deputy if they had any illegal items on them, Mayo said he had methamphetamine in his wallet. The officer found 2.01 grams of a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine. Mayo also informed the deputy that there was a 22-caliber rifle in the vehicle and that he was a felon. A loaded Savage 22 long rifle was found in the rear passenger compartment of the truck. A background check through central dispatch confirmed that Mayo is a convicted felon for a previous offense of sale and delivery of a schedule III drug and that his license is revoked due to a conviction for that offense on April 5, 2018.

During the traffic stop, Cox pulled from his wallet a clear baggie containing 0.89 grams of a white crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine.

23-year-old Alexander Paul Spore of Bethpage is charged with driving under the influence. His bond is $2,500 and he will make a court appearance April 6.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 18 a deputy spotted a vehicle traveling westbound on Nashville Highway which failed to maintain its lane of travel several times. The officer pulled over the automobile and spoke with the driver, Spore whose eyes were red and glassy. Spore was unsteady on his feet. His speech was slurred, and he had a strong odor of alcohol on him. Spore submitted to but performed poorly on field sobriety tasks.

46-year-old Tony Ray Bain of Short Mountain Road, McMinnville is charged with a third offense of driving on a revoked license.

Sheriff Ray said that on March 3 a deputy pulled over a BMW due to expired registration and spoke with the driver, Bain. The officer learned after checking through central dispatch that Bain’s license was revoked. He has two prior convictions for the same offense.

March 19, 2023
By: Bill Conger

The D.C.H.S. Winter Guard placed second at the Columbia Central Winter Guard Competition on Saturday (March 18). The Guard was less than a point away from finishing first in their group of 10 teams. They placed first in equipment and general effect.

“These kids continue to impress with their growth and enthusiasm for this fun show,” Winter Guard Coach Shannon Johns said. “We literally made changes until the last five minutes of rehearsal the night before the contest! Yet, somehow they were able to implement the changes and impress the judges with their performance. It really shows that when you love what you do, it isn’t a chore as much as a commitment to your passion. This team’s hard work has truly paid off and given them great memories along the way. To say I am proud just doesn’t seem strong enough to convey the pure joy of this season.”

“When you work hard at something you reap rewards,” Band Director Don Whitt says. “This is exactly what our Winter Guard team has done. Every one of our students is super talented and extremely gifted. They each have something to offer. They are reaping the rewards for an outstanding performance. Way to go Tigers! I’m so proud of you!

The Winter Guard travels to the state championship on Friday, March 31 in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

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