An arrest has been made in connection with a tragic incident that occurred in Athens, Tennessee, where a historic church was burned down, and a woman was found dead inside. The suspect, identified as Kyle Jay Hickox, has been taken into custody and charged with second-degree murder.
According to a police report obtained by WZTV, surveillance footage captured Hickox in the vicinity of the church multiple times before and after the fire took place. The victim, Linda Buchanan, was discovered deceased in the church, and it was determined that she was killed by another person before the fire was set.
The investigation revealed that Hickox was seen on surveillance footage running across the property of the Athens YMCA and Tennessee Wesleyan University on August 15. He entered a maintenance building at the university, where he made concerning statements before leaving the premises.
Shortly after, Hickox was observed entering St. Mark AME Zion Church through the back door. He was later seen running through the YMCA property towards the college's soccer field, where he removed his shirt and washed himself using a hose.
Following the incident, a search warrant was executed at Hickox's residence, where clothing believed to be worn during the church fire was discovered. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation's Crime Lab confirmed that blood found on Hickox's left shoe matched that of the victim, Linda Buchanan.
Hickox was subsequently arrested and booked into the McMinn County Jail, although he has since been released. Additional charges are pending as the investigation continues into this tragic event that has shaken the community of Athens, Tennessee.
