By Shannon McFarlin News Director
Obion County, Tenn.–27th District Attorney General Thomas A. Thomas has released the findings on the deaths earlier this year of two duck hunters and the suspect in an incident at Reelfoot Lake.
Thomas said in a press release issued Monday afternoon that his office has received the forensic autopsy reports on the bodies of suspect David Vowell, as well as Chance Black and Zachary Grooms.
Black, age 26, and Grooms, age 29, were shot and killed in January 2021 while they were duck hunting near Walnut Log on the north end of Reelfoot Lake.
A days-long search for suspect David Vowell was conducted before his body was recovered from Reelfoot Lake. Arrest warrants had already been issued for his arrest on two counts of first-degree murder. Vowell, age 70, was from Martin.
According to District Attorney Thomas, “The Black and Grooms findings were consistent with the statements taken from the survivor, Jeff Crabtree, in the manner and location of their fatal gunshot wounds.”
Meanwhile, Thomas said, “The autopsy findings in David Vowell stated that the cause of death could not be conclusively determined, but ‘The circumstances surrounding his death and discovery suggest that he died as a result of either drowning or hypothermia (low body temperature)’. This, too, is consistent with the statements taken from Crabtree.”
For that reason, Thomas said, “This office finds no basis for criminal charges in this matter, but, as is the policy of this office, will report the findings to the June term of the Obion County Grand Jury.”
In a statement issued at the time of the shootings, Thomas said Vowell approached the men, who were in a duck blind on the lake. A third man was in the blind with Black and Grooms and is a witness to what occurred.
Vowell was a long-time Martin businessman.
Photo: Law enforcement gathered for instructions before setting out for a search for suspect David Vowell. TBI photo.