Police tell identity of dead woman

Hugh G. Willett, knoxnews.com

The Loudon Police Department released Wednesday the identity of a woman whose body was found under a bridge Monday night.

Debra McNabb, 47, of Loudon died after falling 44 feet from the side of the John J. Duncan Bridge in Loudon, according to Loudon Police Chief James "Bear" Webb.

An autopsy performed by the Knox County Medical Examiner's office determined the death occurred within the last four to five days. The body sustained multiple serious injuries because of the fall, Webb said.

McNabb was reported missing by her husband, Sean McNabb, around 4 p.m. Friday, Webb said.

McNabb's husband said he last saw her Thursday evening, and when he awoke around 9 a.m. Friday, his wife was missing.

Webb said one of his officers saw McNabb on the streets of Loudon around 10:30 a.m. Friday.

The decomposing body was found on the rocks under the bridge about 7:20 p.m. Monday by Firefighter Explorer scouts.

The Scouts, most of whom are about 14 to 15 years old, had just completed a training session and were waiting for their parents to pick them up outside the police/fire station when several decided to go down to the river, Webb said.

"They were looking around the rocks under the bridge, about 100 yards from the police station, when they found the body," Webb said.

BACK
6/12/08