MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (May 5, 2025) – Murfreesboro Police Department’s Criminal Investigations Division Violent Crimes Unit (VCU) is continuing its investigation into the discovery of a deceased man inside a vehicle at a local tow yard last week.

The body was discovered on Thursday, May 1, inside a locked 2007 Hummer HU3 at E.A. Towing on Southpointe Court. The SUV had been towed on April 5 from the Walmart on Old Fort Parkway after it was reported abandoned. The vehicle’s windows were covered with blackout material, and the rear seat had been folded down, obscuring visibility from outside the vehicle.

Tow yard employees approached the vehicle after completing a tow lien process, which allows a towing company to take possession of unclaimed vehicles. Upon approaching the Hummer, they noticed a strong odor and a presence of flies. Using a lockout tool to gain entry, they discovered the man’s body on a sleeping mat in the back of the SUV and immediately contacted police.

An autopsy has been requested to determine the cause and manner of death, as well as to estimate how long the individual had been deceased.

Detectives say E.A. Towing is not suspected of any wrongdoing. Both the towing company and Walmart are fully cooperating with the investigation.

The identity of the deceased has not yet been publicly released, pending notification of next of kin.

The investigation remains active as police work to gather more details about the circumstances leading up to the man’s death.