| Sources |
- [S4] Knoxville News-Sentinel (Tennessee), 15 Aug 2008.
Bonnie S. Devault obituary
- [S142] Newspaper Article, 14 May 2008.
Union County man charged with wife's murder Save Email Print
Posted: 7:46 AM May 14, 2008
Last Updated: 6:12 PM May 14, 2008
2 comments
Christopher W. Atkins
A | A | A
UNION COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A Union County mother of two is dead, possibly killed in her home while her children were also inside.
Her husband, Christopher Atkins, 37, is charged with killing her, but it appears there was a history of domestic violence.
According to a police report obtained by VolunteerTV, deputies say Christopher Atkins once chased Misty Atkins, 32, around with a post hole digger threatening to kill her.
Now, sheriff's deputies believe he followed through on the threat.
Misty's brother Cory Nankervis says, "I loved my sister with all my heart."
The family of Misty Atkins is in mourning, her husband, Christopher, is in a Union County jail cell charged with her murder.
Authorities say they went to their home off Bulls Run Road after getting a missing person's report Tuesday afternoon.
Sgt. Mike Butcher with the Union County Sheriff’s Department says, "It appeared to be a struggle had occurred there."
Union county authorities found Misty's body inside, and began a search for Christopher, who was later found in a Knox County residence off Broadway.
Butcher says, "Smoky Mountain Fugitive task force located him for us around 9:40 last night."
Neighbors say Misty's marriage was in turmoil.
Neighbor Crystal Buckner says, "They had problems all the time. She was all the time calling the cops."
Nankervis says, "She loved her family very much. She loved her children more than anything. My heart's broken."
Misty's brother says family urged her to leave Christopher, but her desire to keep her family together was too strong. Cory says he knew things were bad but wondered in the back of his mind if the worst could ever happen.
Nankervis says, "I always hoped and prayed, you know, that nothing of this magnitude would ever occur."
He says he has nothing to say to the man he believes killed his sister.
Nankervis says, "I just hope that I can forgive Chris one day."
Cory Nankervis says this is the hardest thing he's ever gone through, because he's never lost someone so close to him before.
Christoper Atkins is being held without bond pending an arraignment before a judge on Friday.
|
Search | Advanced Search
Abt 1971 - (~ 53 years)