Remains are identified as William Brian McKenzie, missing since 2019. His death is ruled a homicide
The Jackson Police Department has confirmed that the remains discovered in the submerged Jeep on Aug. 29 are those of William Brian McKenzie, who disappeared on Sept. 27, 2019. The announcement also comes with confirmation that his death was a homicide.
Officers had sent the remains to the Tennessee Medical Examiner’s Office in Nashville for autopsy and its was finalized Monday.
The official release from the JPD states that there is a suspect in custody, and no other suspects are being sought at this time.
The case will be submitted to the 26th Judicial District’s Attorney General Jody Pickens for prosecution.
"I'm hopeful that the confirmation of Mr. McKenzie's identity will provide the family with an avenue towards closure, and my prayers remain with them," said JPD Chief Thom Corley.
McKenzie’s remains were discovered in vehicle in a residential pond in the Howeston Mill Drive subdivision, just a few miles from his home.
The pond was along a route the 21-year-old occasionally used to drive home from his workplace.
The West Tennessee Dive and Recovery Team and the Jackson Police Department confirmed later that morning that the vehicle was a 2006 Jeep Liberty, which belonged to McKenzie.
More: 'He made me fearless': Brian McKenzie's mother tells story
Until Thursday, officials could not comment on his cause of death.
“I don’t have justice," Frances Gaines, McKenzie’s mother, previously said in an interview with The Jackson Sun. "When I have justice, I expect to look at that person in the face and ask them ‘Why did you do this to my son? What was the purpose? What were you going to get out of this? Did you think we were never going to find out about it?’
“I feel with all my heart that justice is going to come very soon. And I believe that with all my heart and soul.”
This story is developing.
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This article originally appeared on Jackson Sun: William Brian McKenzie remains identified, death ruled a homicide
