A body was found in a grassy area near E. Unaka Avenue and Elm Street, just off Interstate 26 Exit 22 in Johnson City, Thursday morning. Police responded to the scene just before 11 a.m., and officials say the preliminary investigation found no apparent signs of trauma or indications of foul play.
Johnson City police confirmed the discovery to WCYB, which first reported the body's location near the busy interstate off-ramp. Investigators have not released the identity of the person found, and police say they are working to notify the individual's family before more details can be shared.
Forensic Team Responds, Investigation Continues
The William J. Forensic Center was also on the scene Thursday, according to WJHL, which reported that crews were seen leaving the area around 12:17 p.m.
Police say the investigation remains ongoing, and an autopsy will be conducted to determine how the person died. No further information about the circumstances surrounding the discovery has been released at this time.
A Similar Scene Playing Out Before
This is not the first time a body has turned up near Interstate 26 in Johnson City. Back in January 2022, police investigated after a body was discovered along the interstate on a Tuesday morning, with a call coming in just before 7 a.m. about something on the side of the highway near the Okolona Road exit, as previously reported by WCYB. In that earlier case, officers shut down the westbound lanes after determining the object was in fact a body, and police said at the time they believed the person had been struck by a vehicle but did not know why the person was on the interstate. The interstate reopened later that same afternoon.
No such road closures or crash details have been reported in connection with Thursday's discovery near E. Unaka Avenue and Elm Street. As the investigation continues, Johnson City police have not indicated whether the current case bears any connection to the 2022 incident or to any other recent activity along the corridor.
