The deceased male recovered from the area of Maynardville Highway and Black Oak Ridge Lane has preliminarily been identified as 38-year-old Christopher Neely, pending confirmation by the Regional Forensics Center. 

Neely was previously reported missing on June 11. He reportedly went to work at Burger King in Halls on June 9 and left around midnight. 

KPD Violent Crimes detectives and Search and Rescue personnel recovered Neely’s body in a wooded area off Black Oak Ridge Lane on June 24. The body was transported to the Regional Forensics Center for further investigation. 

KPD Violent Crimes detectives are leading the investigation into the circumstances leading to Neely’s death. More information will be made available as the investigation progresses.