The Collegedale Police Department, with assistance from the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, has arrested 18-year-old Kian Andrew Neal in connection with the disappearance of 56-year-old Robert George Locke. Locke was first reported missing by his family on May 24 after going unseen for three days, with his last known location being his Collegedale home.

It is worth noting that Locke is a registered sex offender with child molestation charges from 2003. His entry in the sex offender registry can be viewed here: https://sor.tbi.tn.gov/details/00526376

While search efforts involved authorities from Hamilton, Rhea, and Bradley counties, detectives eventually uncovered indicators that the disappearance was suspicious. Although the official press release did not disclose if, when, or where Locke’s body was located, Neal has been charged with criminal homicide, especially aggravated burglary, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and death under suspicious, unusual, or unnatural circumstances.

Collegedale Police Chief Jack Sapp expressed his condolences to Locke’s family and praised the tireless, collaborative efforts of the involved agencies. Neal is currently being held at the Hamilton County Jail on bonds totaling $1.2 million, and investigators are urging anyone with further information to come forward.