KNOXVILLE - The Knox County Sheriff's Office has arrested a suspect named in the murder of a woman whose body was found late this afternoon at a West Knoxville apartment complex.
Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Martha Dooley said Joseph Rivera, 48, is facing homicide charges in the death of his estranged wife, Christene Rivera.
Christene Rivera, 38, was found dead in her residence at the Bramblewood Apartments on Bramblewood Lane off George Williams Road shortly after 5 p.m. today.
According to Dooley, witnesses had seen them arguing about 5 p.m. today before Christene Rivera's body was found.
Loudon County sheriff’s deputies spotted Joseph Rivera at a convenience store about 10 p.m. and he fled on Highway 321 as they approached him. Dooley said Rivera then wrecked during the pursuit and was taken into custody. He was treated at the accident scene for minor injuries, she noted.
Dooley said the Riveras had been separated for six months and that Christene Rivera had an order of protection against her estranged husband. The exact cause of death was not released pending further investigation, Dooley said.