Widow of Soldier Charged with His Murder Five Years After His Death
Five years after the tragic death of Jacob Bishop, a Tennessee Army National Guard soldier, his widow, and her distant cousin have been arrested and charged with his murder. Bishop was found bound and shot multiple times in his Lenoir City home on October 1, 2019, shortly after returning from overseas duty.
Discovery and investigation details
Jacob Bishop’s body was discovered by his mother, bound with zip ties and bearing multiple gunshot wounds. The Loudon County Sheriff’s Office has been investigating the case since then, leading to the recent arrests of Amanda Bishop, Jacob’s widow, and Eric Austin Byrd, her distant cousin.
Loudon County Sheriff Jimmy Davis stated that the murder seems to have stemmed from a heated custody battle between Jacob and Amanda Bishop, who were in the process of divorcing. “They were going through a heated custody battle, and we believe this is what sparked the animosity between the two and eventually led to his murder,” Davis said on Wednesday. “Today’s arrests mark a crucial step towards justice for Jacob Bishop and his family.”
Charges and current status
Amanda Bishop and Eric Austin Byrd have both been charged with first-degree murder and are being held at the Loudon County Detention Center on $1 million bonds. Sheriff Davis emphasized that these arrests are the result of a years-long investigation involving multiple law enforcement agencies. “This case has remained a top priority for our office, and I commend the relentless efforts of our detectives and partner agencies who have worked tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice,” Davis added. “We hope that these arrests bring some measure of peace to Jacob Bishop’s family and all those affected by this senseless tragedy.”
Soldier’s service and the day of the crime
Jacob Bishop had recently returned from a year-long deployment in Poland before his untimely death. He was discovered “unconscious and unresponsive” by his mother, and deputies quickly identified foul play. Witnesses reported seeing a suspicious white SUV in the neighborhood in the days leading up to the crime, which left the area on the day Bishop was killed, according to the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office.
Jacob Bishop was laid to rest with military honors at the Tennessee Veterans Cemetery, a somber recognition of his service and sacrifice. As the legal process continues, the community and Jacob Bishop’s family seek justice and closure in the wake of this devastating loss.
