From the Knox County Regional Forensic Center:

On January 24, 2025, a city of Harriman public works crew was bush-hogging tall-grown grass under a power line along Highway 27. Around 1030, the crew found bones next to a Kentucky Fried Chicken Restaurant located at 1527 South Roane Street, Harriman, TN 37748. The crew contacted Harriman Police officers. Patrol officers and detectives responded to the scene. Dr. Thomas Boduch, the Roane County Medical Examiner was notified of the findings by Detective Kasey Mynatt at 1031. He responded to the scene arriving at 1108.

Dr. Boduch determined that the bones appeared to be human. He phoned the Regional Forensic Center and discussed this case with investigators Megan Sharpe and Chris Thomas. After subsequent discussion, it was decided that Scott Banning would be dispatched from the Forensic Center to the scene to recover the remains.

District Attorney Russell Johnson was notified of the finding of the remains–he arranged for TBI investigators to also respond to
the scene.

Dr. Boduch photographed the scene with close-ups of the bones and uploaded the photos.

According to Harriman City records, the area was last cleared on January 17, 2020.

Scott Banning and TBI agent Jason Poore were able to recover most of the skeleton. The recovery efforts were photographed by Det. Stanley. The remains were placed in a body bag. The debris field was also searched and documented by photos. Most of the items had been shredded presumably by the bush hog blades. Part of a backpack and clothing were found along with a NARCAN nasal spray unit.

After the discovery of the bones, the mower was taken to its garage and placed out of service, pending further investigation.

Dr. Boduch returned to the scene at 1535 and photographed the remains in the body bag. The bag was sealed by Dr. Boduch at 1550 and transported to the Regional Forensic Center by the Roane County Rescue Squad.