CCSO makes 3 arrests in homicide investigation

Published 7:31 pm Monday, May 8, 2023

Three individuals have been taken into custody and charged in connection with a homicide investigation that began on April 1. Monday afternoon, officers of the Carter County Sheriff’s Office arrested Jacob Alexander Hitchcock, 31, and Joshua Elliott Hitchcock, 25, on indictments charging the pair with first-degree murder in the death of their father, 63-year-old William “Bill” Hitchcock Jr. Officers also arrested Britney Diane Hitchcock, 35, on an indictment charging her with filing a false report in connection with the investigation into the death of Bill Hitchcock.

The homicide investigation began on April 1 when a group of fishermen on the Watauga River spotted what appeared to be a person lying in the driveway at the rear of a residence on Old Stoney Creek Road and called out to see if the person needed help. After no one answered, the fishermen took a closer look and called 911. When officers arrived on the scene they found the body of a man, later identified as Bill Hitchcock Jr., who lived at the residence. Hitchcock’s body was transported to the forensic center at ETSU for an autopsy, but the preliminary cause of death appears to be a gunshot wound.

“During the course of the investigation, Bill Hitchcock’s sons, Jacob Hitchcock and Joshua Hitchcock, were developed as suspects,” Sheriff Mike Fraley said. “On Monday morning investigators presented their findings to the Carter County grand jury, which handed down the indictments charging the brothers with first-degree murder and an indictment charging Jacob’s wife, Britney Hitchcock, with filing a false report.”

According to Fraley, the investigation is still ongoing at this time. “I would like to commend my officers for their hard work and diligence in working this investigation,” Sheriff Mike Fraley said. “I would also like to thank the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for their assistance in this case.”