Joey Guinn: Suspect last seen beating Tennessee man months ago arrested after victim’s body is found in buried freezer

Warning: This article contains a recollection of crime and can be triggering to some, readers’ discretion advised.

EZHILABETHTON, TENNESSEE: Tennessee police on Wednesday, May 15, apprehended a suspect in connection with the death of missing man Edward Elliott, 64. The suspect was last seen beating the victim months ago.

Elliott's body was reportedly found in a buried freezer. He had been reported missing on March 31. Investigators strongly suspect that Joey Guinn, aged 46, murdered Elliott in February and subsequently relocated his body.

Guinn faces charges of murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence following his arrest in connection with Elliott's death, as per Crime Online.

Investigation begins after Edward Elliott is reported missing

Carter County Sheriff's investigators swiftly conducted interviews following the reported disappearance of Edward Elliott on March 31. 

According to Guinn's arrest affidavit, Elliott's family and friends stated that they had not been in contact with him since late January. Investigators received a tip-off indicating that Elliott had been seen at Guinn's residence, located at 125 Mike Clawson Road in Hampton. They interviewed him.

But Guinn informed officers that Elliott had stayed at his residence for a day or two a couple of months earlier. He said he believed Elliott was with a couple, which included Elliott’s daughter.

Witnesses claim Edward Elliott was 'violently' assaulted 

According to the affidavit, officers received an anonymous tip in mid-April alleging that Elliott had been violently assaulted outside Guinn’s residence by Guinn and another individual. Two witnesses reportedly saw the assault. 

On April 22, officers interviewed a couple who claimed to have witnessed a violent altercation involving Elliott, Guinn, and a third individual. One witness stated that the incident took place at the end of January or the beginning of February, while the other mentioned it occurred in early to mid-February. 

One of the witnesses recounted seeing "Guinn and (the other individual) violently kicking Mr Elliott, while Elliott pleaded with them", as per WJHL.

Both witnesses described seeing a pool of blood the following morning at the location of the altercation. Additionally, both witnesses reported that Guinn left in a truck containing a "job box" for tools and later returned without the box.

Investigators find Edward Elliott’s remains

According to the affidavit, on Wednesday, May 15, investigators from the Carter County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and Elizabethton Police Department conducted searches at Guinn’s property on Mike Clawson Road and two addresses on nearby Stout Hollow Road. 

A cadaver dog detected an odor consistent with human decay, prompting investigators to use a metal detector which revealed something buried underground.

Agents discovered a large freezer during the search and, in the presence of a death investigator from the William L Jenkins Forensic Center, opened it. Inside, they found human remains that are suspected to belong to Edward Elliott.

As of Thursday, Guinn was held at the Carter County Detention Center. He was arraigned on Thursday afternoon. His bond was set at $5 million.