Body Found In Pigeon River

Police are investigating after a body was found in the Pigeon River in Newport on Wednesday, 6/26. Newport Chief of Police Scott Lamb says his department was called to the area around 170 W. Main Street about a body that had been spotted in the river. The Cocke County Swift Water Rescue team was brought in to help retrieve the body, that of a white male. That body was sent to the Knoxville Forensics Center. On Thursday, 6/27, the forensics center identified the body as 44 year old Billy Joe Jones.

Chief Lamb is asking that anyone who may have information about this case please contact Detective Will Garber with the Newport Police Department at (423) 623-5556 ext. 543. Lamb says this is an ongoing investigation so no further information is being released at this time.