TBI Increases Reward For Remaining At-Large Fugitive In Franklin County Murder

  • Wednesday, May 1, 2013
David Jenkins
David Jenkins

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday increased the reward for the remaining at large fugitive wanted for the murder of a Franklin County man in March. Information leading to the arrest of David Gordon Jenkins now stands at $2,500.

Jenkins, 46, last known address 3554 Asbury Road, Manchester, is wanted by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and TBI for one count of first-degree murder and one count of felony murder for the beating death of 26-year-old Corey Nathaniel Matthews. Matthews’ body was found in a corn field across from the Jackson Cemetery in Cowan on March 24, after his family reported him missing. He was found lying on his back in wet clothes from a recent rainstorm with blunt for trauma to his head and face. Investigators believe Matthews was targeted because of his affiliation with the Aryan Nation.

Jenkins was put on the state’s Top Ten Most Wanted list on April 10, and has not been located. Although some leads on his whereabouts have been from out-of-state, search efforts are now being concentrated in the Tennessee and Kentucky area.

Jenkins is described as a white male with brown hair and brown eyes. He is 5’10” and weighs approximately 185 pounds. He has numerous tattoos on his arms, left shoulder, chest (see photo), back and thighs, as well as numerous scars. Jenkins' criminal history dates to 1985 and includes assault, drug trafficking, resisting arrest, possession of stolen property, robbery, escape, writing bad checks, DUI and traffic violations.

Another subject wanted for the murder of Cody Keith Holmes was also added to the state’s Top Ten list with Jenkins, but was located in Fort Walton, Fla., on April 16. He and the other two subjects, Todd Eugene Dalton and John Corey Lanier, have been charged in the murder and are in the Franklin County Jail being held without bond. All four subjects are from Coffee County and have known affiliations with the Aryan Brotherhood and Aryan Nation.

Jenkins should be considered armed and dangerous and approached with extreme caution.  Anyone with information on the whereabouts of David Gordon Jenkins is urged to call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND (1-800-824-3463). There is a $2,500 reward for information leading to his arrest.  

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