10/27/09 - McNairy County

Body Found in River Update
By: Mallory Cooke
6:35 p.m.
 
Investigators released new information Tuesday about the death of a Ramer woman found in the Tuscumbia River on Sunday. Authorities announced Monday that finding Donna Hill's car would be key in discovering how her body ended up in the river over the weekend. Now, they have her car and need help finding a person of interest.
 
Gerald Hadley recalled talking with his neighbor Donna Hill, 50, just last week, less than two days before she disappeared. "She was out in the driveway with her little dog and the dog started barking. She was telling him to be quiet of course. She just saw me and waved and said good morning," said Hadley.
 
Hadley described Hill as well-mannered, but said she kept to herself. "I never remember seeing anyone over there other than her. I do not remember seeing any visitors or anything like that," said Hadley.
 
The McNairy County Sheriff's Department found Hill's missing car around 3:00 a.m. Tuesday morning in Ramer, and know of a person they believe could be involved in Hill's disappearance. "One of the witnesses that had possession of the car brought it to a location in Ramer and we intercepted the vehicle at that location," said McNairy County Sheriff Ricky Roten.
 
The McNairy County Sheriff's Department, Alcorn County Sheriff's Department, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation need help finding Aaron Hastings, 30. He has brown eyes, stands at about 6 feet, and weighs approximately 300 lbs. "He is just a person of interest that is involved in the case that we need to bring in for questioning," said Roten.
 
Deputies believe as many as four people could be involved in Hill's disappearance.
 
Hadley remained in a state of shock. "It does not happen in your neighborhood. It happens in somebody else's neighborhood all the time. We do not think about it being next door," said Hadley.
 
Investigators considered Hastings dangerous and said it is important to call the McNairy County Sheriff's Department, Alcorn County Sheriff's Department or the TBI if he is spotted.