Just before 2:00 p.m. yesterday, Harriman police responded to reports of a vehicle that had been parked in the Shoney’s lot for nearly two weeks, according to sources. Upon inspecting the vehicle, officers discovered a note suggesting the occupant may have harmed himself, with the message allegedly stating that he intended to walk into the woods and take his own life.

Further investigation led to the discovery of a body in the wooded area behind Shoney’s. The Harriman Fire Department deployed a four-wheel off-road vehicle to recover the body and transport it to a location where the Roane County Rescue Squad could retrieve it for transfer to the Knoxville Forensic Center for an autopsy.

Sources close to the scene indicated that the individual was apparently from South Carolina. Additional updates will be provided as soon as the Harriman Police Department releases more information.