Rickman, Tenn. — 27-Year-Old Peyton Nations in Custody After Multi-County Manhunt Following Double Homicide
Authorities in Tennessee say a man suspected in a deadly domestic-related shooting in Overton County is now in custody after a dramatic, multi-county manhunt that spanned much of Sunday.
The Overton County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that 27-year-old Peyton Nations was arrested after an hours-long search involving multiple law enforcement agencies.
Deputies were first called to the 100 block of Freeman Lane in the Rickman community just before noon on Sunday. When they arrived, they discovered two individuals dead from what investigators described as a domestic-related shooting. The names of the victims have not yet been released pending family notification.
Following the killings, officials say Nations fled the scene in a vehicle, prompting an immediate search. Investigators tracked his movements into neighboring Putnam County, but the pursuit quickly expanded into DeKalb County, where the search took a dramatic turn.
According to reports, a fisherman spotted a man pushing a vehicle—matching the suspect’s description—into Center Hill Lake at Austin Bottom. Authorities believe Nations then swam across the water and escaped into nearby woods on foot, sparking widespread concern in the surrounding communities.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Tennessee Highway Patrol, and multiple sheriff’s offices joined forces to launch a large-scale manhunt covering Overton, Putnam, and DeKalb Counties. Law enforcement urged residents to remain alert and take precautions, warning that Nations was considered armed and dangerous during the search.
By evening, the intense manhunt came to an end when officials located Nations near a pond in DeKalb County. Authorities say he was unarmed at the time and surrendered without incident. He was immediately served with warrants for murder charges connected to the double homicide.
The Overton County District Attorney’s Office has since confirmed Nations’ identity but noted that a booking photo has not yet been released. Officials also emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, with more details expected to emerge as authorities piece together the timeline of events leading up to the killings.
Residents of the affected counties remain shaken by the tragic events and the massive search effort that followed. Law enforcement has assured the public that there is no further danger and that all agencies involved are continuing to work closely to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
