Police: Missing homicide suspect’s body found in Muse Park pond
JACKSON, Tenn. — Jackson police confirm the body of missing homicide suspect Dennis Lee Hurt was found early Friday morning in the pond at Muse Park. According to Lt. Jeff Sheppard, he was out in the park around 10 a.m. searching for more evidence in the case when he noticed something suspicious floating in the water Sheppard said he then called the Jackson Fire Department and police department to help search the water. A body matching the height, race and description of Hurt, 52, was later pulled from the pond about 100 feet from the pier, according to police. Jackson police said they’re still investigating the circumstances surrounding Hurt’s death. Police said they found evidence earlier this week near the pond that suggested Hurt committed suicide. That evidence led them to conduct a welfare check at Hurt’s last known address on Old Hickory Boulevard., where they found an unidentified woman’s body. They later determined foul play was involved in her death. Friday evening, police said the Nashville Medical Examiner’s Office identified the woman as 50-year-old Letitia Renee Hartshaw. Police say the cause of her death is still under investigation. Hurt has a record of domestic-related incidents including last month when he was charged with aggravated domestic assault after authorities say he continuously hit a woman with a vodka bottle. Five days prior, Hurt was charged with simple assault of his girlfriend at the same address where authorities found the body of Hartshaw and currently are investigating the scene as a homicide. Stay with WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News and www.wbbjtv.com for the latest on this developing story.
