Pauline Pusser’s remains to undergo autopsy 57 years later
UPDATE: Evidence connects Bufford Pusser to wife’s murder, authorities say
UPDATE (4/8/24): Pauline Pusser remains returned to gravesite
MCNAIRY COUNTY, Tenn. – After nearly 60 years, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation may be one step closer to solving the death of Pauline Pusser.
After receiving calls regarding law enforcement at Pauline Pusser’s burial site, we were able to arrive at the scene to get more information.
Pauline Pusser was the wife of McNairy County Sheriff Bufford Pusser. She was unfortunately killed on August 12, 1967.
Pauline Pusser joined her husband that evening to respond to a disturbance call.
While on the road, she was fatally shot and her husband was also shot, but survived.
On Thursday afternoon, the TBI exhumed Pusser Pauline’s body.
“You know, never want to see anybody’s remains exhumed, and it’s always such a complex issue,” said Drew Wheeler, the Editor at McNairy County News.
In December of 2023, the TBI released a news release asking people to come forward if they knew anything regarding the case.
According to the TBI, a recent tip prompted a new review of the case file, and the discovery was made that an autopsy was never performed on Pauline Pusser’s body.
“The fact that the TBI had a tip that prompted this new look into Mrs. Pauline’s case, such an interesting thing though because if an autopsy was never performed it just raises some questions that I hope could provide more clear answers to what actually happened,” Wheeler said.
The Pusser’s family has supported the TBI’s decision to exhume her body.
Now with the recent update of technology, the TBI can hopefully answer a few questions.
“You realize although it’s been however how many years it’s been, forensics can take and do amazing things today that wasn’t even imagined back then,” said Dennis Hathcock, a retiree.
There are speculations about who is responsible for Pauline Pusser’s murder. However, no one has been charged or arrested.
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