Homicide Unit detectives this evening swore out a warrant charging Michael Richard McKenzie, 57, with criminal homicide for last November’s murder of Tabitha Ryals, 32, whose body was found on the side of Gibson Drive in Madison. Blunt force trauma and asphyxia caused her death.
Fingerprint and DNA evidence led to the identification of McKenzie as a suspect in this case. According to witness information received today, McKenzie and Ryals were together in a Berkley Drive apartment when he repeatedly punched her in the face until she became unconscious, and then removed her body from the apartment.
Detective Tim Skopek is leading the murder investigation.
McKenzie has been in jail since Tuesday evening on a felony aggravated assault charge for repeatedly punching his girlfriend on May 9 during an argument in a South Nashville store parking lot. McKenzie was not on the scene when officers arrived. He was spotted in an 8th Avenue South convenience market Tuesday evening and arrested.
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Michael Richard McKenzie, 57