The widow of a soldier who was found dead and tied up in his home has been charged with his murder, five years after the brutal killing.
Jacob Bishop, a dedicated member of the Tennessee Army National Guard, was discovered by his mother inside his Lenoir City home on October 1, 2019.
The woman found her son, who was 35 at the time, dead from multiple gunshot wounds and tied up with cable ties.
After five years of tireless investigation by the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, two arrests have finally been made in the case.
Amanda Bishop, the soldier’s wife, and Eric Austin Byrd, his distant cousin, were arrested in connection with the 2019 murder.
Jacob Bishop, a dedicated member of the Tennessee Army National Guard, was found dead by his mother in 2019.
The bishop’s widow, Amanda Bishop (pictured), has been charged with his murder.
The bishop and his wife had filed for divorce and were locked in a heated custody battle over their son.
Loudon County Sheriff Jimmy Davis blamed the killing on an ongoing dispute between the married couple that came to a devastating end.
“They were arguing a heated custody battle over their son and we believe this is what sparked the animosity between the two and ultimately led to his murder,” Davis said at a news conference.
Davis was unable to provide any information about Bishop’s two children.
Both Byrd and Amanda Bishop were charged with first-degree murder and are being held at the Loudon County Detention Center on $1 million bonds.
According to Davis, the arrests came after a thorough and comprehensive investigation involving multiple different law enforcement agencies.
“Today’s arrests mark a crucial step toward justice for Jacob Bishop and his family,” said Sheriff Davis.
Bishop was arrested along with her distant cousin Eric Austin Byrd (pictured) and both were charged with first-degree murder.
Before his horrific death, Bishop had just returned from a year-long deployment to Poland.
“This case has remained a top priority for our office and I commend the tireless efforts of our detectives and partner agencies who have worked tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.”
“We hope these arrests bring some peace to the family of Jacob Bishop and all those affected by this senseless tragedy,” Sheriff Davis added.
Before his horrific death, Bishop had just returned from a year-long tour of duty in Poland.
Initial reports indicated Bishop was discovered “unconscious and unresponsive” by his mother at his home just before 7:43 a.m. on Oct. 1, and once patrol officers arrived on scene, it was quickly determined that foul play had occurred.
Police said at the time that witnesses described a suspicious white SUV lurking in the Lenoir City man’s neighborhood in the days before he was shot on Shaw Ferry Road North in northern Loudon County.
The vehicle left the area the day of the killing, the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office said, after working for a week to gather evidence from the scene.
Bishop’s partner at the time, Brittany Kindred, asked the public to help find who was responsible for taking the life of her fellow Tennessee Army National Guardsman.
“If anyone has any information regarding this vehicle or anything related to Jay, please contact the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office. WE WILL NOT GIVE UP,” Kindred posted on Facebook.
Both Amanda Bishop and Eric Austin Byrd are being held at the Loudon County Detention Center on $1 million bonds.
She shared a video of the moment they met in May and said the clip would be played at her upcoming wedding.
Kindred, who described herself as a nurse and “Urijah and Brayson’s mom” on her profile, had attended a graveside service with military honors at the Tennessee Veterans Cemetery the day before.
The bishop’s mother, Diane, has proudly posted pictures of her infantryman son on her Facebook profile over the years and her own features images from his time in Poland.