In a recent development in a nearly two-decade-old missing persons case, Haywood County officials may finally have a lead on the whereabouts of Freddie Whittimore, a Stanton resident who vanished in 2005. According to Action News 5, Haywood County Sheriff Billy Garrett Jr. said Whittimore’s daughter received a tip from a former area resident about the possible location of her father's remains. Whittimore, then 72, disappeared 19 years ago and hasn't been seen since.
Last week the daughter reportedly obtained information from the unidentified tipster, who claimed that a man told him Whittimore's body was buried near dumpsters on Highway 179 by Chaney Lane, shortly after he was reported missing. Following this claim, Sheriff Garrett confirmed that investigators have identified two people of interest, as reported by FOX13 Memphis. Cadaver canines from the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office were brought in and signaled "something" in the area where dumpsters once stood, though the findings are still yet to be confirmed.
Whittimore, known affectionately as “Buddy,” suffered from dementia and other medical conditions at the time of his disappearance. He was last seen walking his dog along Charleston Road and Highway 179, a mile from his home. The dog returned, but he did not. "We want some closure," Whittimore's daughter, Dottie Norwood, told WREG, expressing hope that the remains belong to her father so the family can finally bring him home.
Yesterday, forensic experts were dispatched to further investigate the Stanton site. While the identities of the persons of interest have not been made public, the ongoing investigation led the sheriff’s office to secure the area around Chaney Lane and Highway 179. Sheriff Garrett has requested the assistance of the local district attorney to determine the nature of what the cadaver dogs found, signaling a potentially significant breakthrough in the case, the sheriff's office said.
