Ex-wife prime suspect in murder
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The remains, unrecognizable at the scene and still being positively identified by pathologists, are believed to be those of Furlon Bryant, 58, who went missing June 6. His ex-wife, Jeri Bryant, 55, married to the victim for over 20 years and freshly divorced from the deceased two weeks ago, is the prime suspect.
However, she is yet to be questioned or charged as she remains under care at a Nashville hospital after taking an overdose of pills inside her home Friday night, just a few yards from where her longtime husband’s body lay obscured by a shallow covering of sticks and debris.
According to lawmen, the victim’s body was found early Monday morning and was traced to the woods behind the Bryant’s home by searchers who followed the smell. Bryant had been the source of a search for some time given his mysterious disappearance the week before.
The victim’s body, partly burned and, authorities suspect, partly dismembered, was badly decomposed and found lying half exposed in a makeshift grave. Given the fact he has been missing since June 6, authorities suspect his body had been left out in the elements for a week.
“The exact cause of death will have to be declared by the pathologist, but right now we suspect he was shot,” said District Attorney General Dale Potter. “This is definitely a case of foul play and the ex-wife is a person of great interest to us.”
Members of Potter’s office were joined by Van Buren and Warren County lawmen as well as investigators from the Bomb and Arson Unit of the Fire Marshal’s office. While the homicide happened on Baker Mountain Road, only a quarter-mile from Spencer Highway in Van Buren County near Mt. Elim Church, manpower, through the mutual aid agreement, was borrowed from Warren County.
While the investigation remained in its early stages Tuesday afternoon as lawmen processed the scene, early indications are that Bryant was shot several times and then taken to a barn behind the house where he was placed on a mattress, doused in gasoline and set afire. After being burned, his body was drug up a hill about 50 yards behind his house and hidden under fallen brush. Lawmen are not saying if they suspect more than one person participated in the murder.
According to lawmen, while the two were divorced, both still lived in the family home on Baker Mountain. There was reportedly a history of domestic issues between the two and may have been unresolved debates over how their house would be disposed of in light of the divorce.
PHOTO INFO:
Arson Investigator William Barker sifts through ashes while DA Investigator Jason Rowland prepares to shovel in more potential evidence as lawmen search for bullets and other evidence in a pile where murder victim Furlon Bryant was partially burned behind his house on Baker Mountain Road. (Duane Sherrill photo)