Jackson police investigate disappearance of missing man

JACKSON, Tenn. — Jackson police searched an area overnight looking for a possible body. The family of a local missing man was hoping the investigation would provide them with answers.

Tracy Echols

A tip led Jackson police to believe missing 44-year-old Tracy Echols’ body was buried outside the Intown Apartments in east Jackson.

His sister says he has been missing for seven months and hangs out in the area, so she believed the tip to be true.

“I feel somebody tortured my brother,” Tracy’s sister Sherrelle Lee said. “I feel somebody tortured my brother, and it’s hard.”

Jackson police continued their search for Echols’ body into Wednesday afternoon but came up empty.

Echols’ cousin is still hopeful. “In spite of the seven months that has gone by, that tomorrow or the day after he’ll walk up and give me a hug and say ‘how you doing, cousin,'” Tracy’s cousin  Datrick Cole said.

Earlier photo of Tracy Echols

The family says they have searched around Jackson for Echols since he disappeared in February and then reported him missing to police in April.

“I think that’s what all of us are just looking for now, and that’s peace,” Cole said.

Now that the department’s search at the apartments didn’t find Echols, the family is turning to the community for help.

“Somebody did something bad to my brother and nobody wants to say anything about it,” Lee said. “I miss him. I miss him.”

The investigation into Echols’ disappearance is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to call Jackson police at 731-425-8400 or Crime Stoppers at 731-424-TIPS (8477).