After nearly five years of investigation, authorities in Tennessee have charged Amanda Bishop and Eric Byrd with first-degree murder in the killing of Jacob Bishop, a National Guardsman who was bound with zip ties and shot in 2019. The motive behind the killing is believed to be a custody dispute involving the couple’s child. Byrd is reported to be Amanda Bishop’s cousin. Jacob Bishop’s body was discovered by his mother in his apartment in Lenoir City, who described him as a “very good man.” The case had initially identified 400 possible suspects with ties to Jacob Bishop, but Amanda Bishop was always a top suspect. The arrests were attributed to good detective work and new technology.
Authorities involved in the investigation included the FBI, the U.S. Secret Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and a sheriff’s office in Texas. The case had caused heartache and worry for Jacob Bishop’s mother, who was relieved to hear that two people were in custody for her son’s killing. While there may not be closure in a case like this, the arrests bring some justice to the tragic situation. Court records for the case were not available, and it is unclear if Amanda Bishop or Eric Byrd have legal representation. Relatives of Jacob Bishop did not respond to requests for comment, and contact information for Amanda Bishop’s relatives could not be found.
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