August 21, 2019
HUMAN REMAINS POSSIBLY RELATED TO FLORENCE COUNTY HOMICIDE
Investigators with the Florence County Sheriff’s Office, working in conjunction with the Atlanta Police Department have located human remains possibly related to a homicide which allegedly occurred in Florence County in April of this year. Since the incident occurred, FCSO Investigators have made several trips to the Atlanta area to search for the remains of Tara Echavarria. Earlier this week, based on recently obtained information, Investigators, along with FCSO Forensic Unit support returned to Atlanta where human remains were discovered near the Atlanta Police Academy.
The Fulton County Medical Examiner’s Center is conducting a forensic examination of the remains and will work with FCSO Investigators to positively determine the identity of the victim.
FCSO Investigators have charged Cecelia Elaine Knox with the murder of Tara Echavarria and have also charged Jana Lynn Knox and Jimmy Lee Knox with Accessory After the Fact of Murder in the incident. All three suspects are being held at the Florence County Detention Center pending trial.
“Our Investigators have done an excellent job of handling this sad and difficult case,” Sheriff William C. Barnes stated. “We look forward to obtaining the results of the forensic examination soon, which will hopefully allow the family of Ms. Echavarria to obtain some degree of closure.”
As additional information is available this release will be supplemented.
END
Major Michael M. Nunn
General Counsel/P.I.O.
