Donald Rogers, 46, was identified as the deceased man investigators found in a boat floating on the Tennessee River near the Rhea County/Hamilton County lines.
@:Chance A. Loftis, 24, and Travis Hayes Jenkins, 28, were arrested and charged.
According to Atkinson, two boaters contacted authorities just before 9 a.m. Wednesday about what appeared to be a dead body adrift in a boat in the Birchwood area of Hamilton County.
Atkinson noted HCSO detectives were interviewing several persons of interest concerning the death. Early in the investigation, officials had not determined a cause of death.
Atkinson confirmed this morning that the cause of death still has not been determined by the Hamilton County Medical Examiner’s Office.
Atkinson also said no new information has been provided regarding acquaintances of Rogers, Loftis and Jenkins, nor has a possible motive been released.
Loftis and Jenkins are being held at the Hamilton County Jail on one count each of criminal homicide.
Investigation is continuing.
Additional information about the crime and investigation is expected to be released later today. Additional coverage in the Cleveland Daily Banner will be provided in Friday’s edition, and beyond, as new developments occur. Updates also will be provided on the Banner’s website and Facebook page.
