Cole would not comment on details regarding the death of David Gardner, 42, whose body was found during the weekend.
Gardner “was found dead Saturday evening in the garage of his home located at 416 Highway 123 in Turtletown.
Friends of Gardner’s reported to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office he had not been seen in a couple of weeks and deputies were dispatched to check the residence.
Gardner appeared to have been struck in the head. Forensic evidence has been collected and sent to the lab for examination.
The investigation is currently ongoing as the Sheriff’s Office awaits those results, according to information provided by detective Joe Price of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office.
A lock was reportedly breached to gain entry to the garage.
Gardner was a former owner of a small business which he shut down after suffering injuries during a car crash several years ago, reports indicated.
The body was taken to Knoxville for autopsy.
