Matthew L McFarlin: Suspect indicted in Nashville murder allegedly left crime scene wearing victim's clothes

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

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE: Matthew L McFarlin, 39, was indicted on first-degree murder and robbery charges by a Davidson County grand jury for his involvement in a 2023 Nashville murder case.

According to reports from Metro Nashville police, the 39-year-old apparently left the crime scene clad in the clothing of the victim Patrick Panella, 42, as per WSMV. 

Surveillance footage captured Matthew L McFarlin leaving Patrick Panella's hotel room

The incident unfolded on October 15, 2023, when authorities responded to a call from WoodSpring Suites Nashville reporting a homicide. Upon arrival at 122 Liberty Lane, officers found Panella deceased in his room, bearing multiple stab wounds to his neck, as detailed in an arrest report.

Surveillance footage played a pivotal role in the investigation, revealing Panella entering his hotel room on October 7, 2023, and never getting out of it. Hours later, McFarlin was captured on camera leaving the same room, allegedly wearing Panella's clothes.

"(McFarlin) is believed to be the last person to leave the victim’s hotel room until police were dispatched there and found the victim deceased," stated a report, shedding light on the critical evidence amassed against the suspect.

Since his arrest in October 2023, McFarlin has remained in custody.

Roommate arrested after missing Virginia woman's body is found in trash truck

In a separate incident, the lifeless body of Taty’ana Zakiyyah, a 30-year-old woman from Virginia, was discovered in a garbage truck after her family expressed concerns about her disappearance.

The distressing revelation came to light after relatives reported her absence on March 21, around 8.50 pm, when she failed to collect her child from daycare in Lake Ridge, Virginia.

Promptly, law enforcement initiated an inquiry, initially concentrating on locating Zakiyyah’s vehicle, which was found being driven by her roommate, Brendon Devon White, 28, from Woodbridge, reported MEAWW.

As authorities intensified their search, they eventually tracked Zakiyyah's car to Newport News City, Virginia, where her personal belongings were found untouched.

Subsequently, detectives intercepted a nearby waste collection truck and made the grim discovery of Zakiyyah's deceased body, leading to White's arrest and subsequent charge of second-degree murder, as reported by Fox.

Details regarding the motive and specifics of the crime are still unfolding as the investigation progresses.