News

Actions

Michigan man faces murder charge in Tennessee cold case

Posted at 5:55 PM, Aug 17, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-17 17:55:42-04

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Prosecutors say a Michigan man accused of strangling an ex-girlfriend to death in Tennessee 16 years ago has been indicted on a first-degree murder charge.

The arrest of Jason Sanford in the 2000 death of Sarah Lea Perry comes after a recently formed cold case investigations unit began looking into Perry’s death at the urging of her mother.

Prosecutors say Perry told police just hours before she disappeared on June 14, 2000, that Sanford had threatened her because she had broken up with him. Her body was found in a trash can the following day.

Hamilton County District Attorney Neal Pinkston said he doesn’t know why detectives could not make a case against Sanford years ago.

It’s not clear whether Sanford has an attorney yet.