Tipster tells woman supposed location of missing dad’s body 19 years after he disappeared, sheriff’s office says

STANTON, Tenn. (WMC) - A 19-year-old missing persons case has a sudden lead after a tipster recently told a woman where her dad’s body might be buried.

Haywood County Sheriff Billy Garrett Jr. says that 72-year-old Stanton resident Freddie Whittimore was reported missing in 2005.

He hasn’t been seen since.

Last week, Whittimore’s daughter met with the sheriff’s office to say that she recently received a phone tip from a person who formerly lived in the Stanton area.

This tipster reportedly told her that he had information that may be helpful in finding her dad’s body, according to Sheriff Garrett.

The tipster reportedly came forward after a man told him that the 72-year-old was buried near dumpsters on Highway 179 by Chaney Lane shortly after he was reported missing.

Investigators have identified two people of interest based on that tip.

On Friday, cadaver canines from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office searched the area and detected “something” near where dumpsters were once located.

“We have not determined what the canines have found, but the Sheriff’s Office has requested from the local District Attorney General, FrederickAgee, to have forensics experts to check the area identified by the canines."

Forensic experts were sent to Stanton on Monday to check the area.

The two persons of interest have not been identified at this time.

Action News 5 will provide updates once we learn more.

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