Suspect Kidnap, Kill 94-Year-Old Man, Cut Off His Hand

Hamblen County, TN (WBIR) - Family members of a murdered Hamblen County man told the Sheriff they negotiated by phone with kidnappers over a ransom demand before alerting police that the man was missing.

That's the latest detail to emerge in the investigation into the grueseome kidnapping and murder of 94-year-old Willie Morgan of Hamblen County.

According to Hamblen County Sheriff Esco Jarnigan, Morgan's body was found just after 6:00 am Monday morning off of Technology Way in Hamblen County. The body was missing its left hand. Sheriff Jarnigan says Morgan was tortured while still alive, but that his hand appears to have been severed after death.

Police believe Morgan was abducted from his home Saturday. Kidnappers then contacted family members to demand money. When the negotiations broke down, family members called police Saturday night to tell authorities their elderly relative had been kidnapped and was in danger.

Six suspects in the man's disappearance were picked up in Chattanooga and questioned most of the day and night Sunday. Police say they found the suspects at the Red Roof Inn on Shallowford Road after following a tip. Three of the six suspects were then arrested and charged.

Butcher knives and Willie Morgan's missing hand were discovered in a vehicle connected to the suspects now in custody. Jarnigan says one of the suspects led authorities to the body Monday morning.

Charged in connection with the crime are Darrell Nance, age 22, Brice Whaley, age 38, and Jessica Lane, age 23.

Jarnigan says the crime does not appear to be random, and that Morgan was targeted. He belives the victim knew his attackers and willingly opened his door to allow them into his home before his abduction on Saturday night.

Morgan's stepdaughter, Nancy McCann tells WBIR-TV she believes the suspects now in custody are friends of Morgan's grandson.

The sheriff says more arrests are pending.