Donald Rogers, 46, died of blunt force trauma to the head and neck, according to Janice Atkinson, information officer for the Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office.
Chance A. Loftis, 24, and Travis Hayes Jenkins, 28, also of Cleveland, were arrested and charged hours after the April 25 investigation began. According to Atkinson, two boaters contacted authorities just before 9 a.m. that day about what appeared to be a dead body adrift in a boat in the Birchwood area of Hamilton County.
Early in the investigation, officials had not determined a cause of death.
Loftis and Jenkins are being held at the Hamilton County Jail on one count each of criminal homicide.
According to an affidavit filed with the HCSO regarding the investigation, Atkinson said Loftis and Jenkins were reportedly arguing with Rogers over the location of a campground in the area of the river.
Investigation is continuing. Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency was also involved in the investigation.
Loftis and Jenkins are being held at the Hamilton County Jail under $1 million bond.
They face a May 14 appearance in Hamilton County General Sessions Court, according to Jail Information.
Additional coverage in the Cleveland Daily Banner will be provided as information is made available.
