News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) has arrested a suspect in connection with two deaths near Lake Tansi Tuesday.
Sheriff Casey Cox confirmed 46-year-old John Patrick Fields, of Pikeville, faces two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted first-degree murder. His bond has been set at $5 million with a court date scheduled for March 18.
TBI officials report authorities received a 911 call around 6 p.m. Tuesday when a caller found a man deceased in a pile of trash along Critter Creek Road. Cox said that man has been identified as 47-year-old Lowell “Chip” Simmons.
Authorities then received a call around 10 p.m. regarding a shooting that had taken place along Vandever Road, about five miles from where Simmons’ body was found. The TBI reports 23-year-old Makayla Manning was found dead from a fatal gunshot wound along with two others who were injured.
Cox confirmed the two injured individuals were Manning’s 39-year-old husband, Joseph Manning, and 42-year-old Eleashea Curry. Cox said both Curry and Joseph Manning were transported to The University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville for treatment, where they remain in stable condition.
Authorities are still investigating the incidents as current evidence suggests the two are related.
