The mother of a young woman found dead on Center Hill Lake almost two years ago is challenging a DeKalb County Sheriff’s Department investigation that concluded the death was accidental.
Sherry Smith, in a recent news report by a Nashville television station, said she believes her daughter Lauren Agee was murdered. But Sheriff Patrick Ray is standing by the findings of the probe and has released a detailed written statement to the local news media in response to allegations that the investigation was insufficient.
Agee, 21, had reportedly been enjoying an outing with friends known as “Wakefest” at Pates Ford Marina in July 2015 and was camping near the edge of a steep cliff overlooking the lake prior to the tragedy. Investigators believe that Agee fell from the cliff into the water resulting in her death.Several hours later Agee’s body was found in the water by a fisherman near Still Point Boat Ramp across from Pates Ford Marina. A subsequent autopsy determined the death to be accidental.
“Through the investigation, it was found that Lauren and her friends had been camping atop a narrow bluff across from Pates Ford Marina, where Lauren and another individual had tied their hammock. The body was found face-down in the water in slough behind the bluff where Agee’s hammock was found,” according to Sheriff Ray’s written statement.
“The medical examiners autopsy report concludes Lauren Agee’s death was accidental with the cause of death determined as “multiple blunt force injuries”. The pathologist further informed the investigating detective that Agee’s injuries are consistent with a fall. The autopsy report further shows multiple injuries to the back of her head, spine, and back, and that drowning was a possible contributing factor to her death,” the statement continued.
Another autopsy was later conducted by the family’s independent pathologist which reportedly found that Agee’s larynx was crushed. Smith told Channel 17’s Dennis Ferrier that she believes her daughter had been choked.
“As far as being choked, as a family member has claimed, the photographs taken during this investigation show no marks or bruising around Lauren’s neck, and the medical examiner’s report supports the detective’s findings. The medical examiner’s report stated the larynx was not crushed, but was intact,” said Sheriff Ray in his written statement.
Although he has no jurisdiction in DeKalb County, a least one off duty White County officer who apparently worked as private security for the marina that weekend has also questioned the results of the investigation. He raised the issue that an autopsy photo apparently shows an imprint on Agee’s midsection that could be the outline of the bow or stern of a canoe suggesting that Agee’s body may have been placed on a canoe after her death.
Sheriff Ray refutes the allegation stating that the imprint is identical to a TWRA boat storage lid where Agee’s body was placed face down during transport to the boat ramp.
“TWRA officers assisted the sheriff’s department detectives in loading the body onto a TWRA boat to transport the body back to the boat ramp. The body was placed face down on the side of one of the TWRA boats,” stated Sheriff Ray.
“There has been some question concerning a photograph taken by a DeKalb Sheriff’s Department detective, on the TWRA boat, showing a resemblance of a canoe mark on Lauren’s chest. After examining the photographs taken before transporting the body to the boat ramp, our investigation determined this mark is an identical match to the TWRA boat storage locker lid where the body was placed facedown during transport to the boat ramp,” Sheriff Ray stated.
“Lauren’s body was taken directly to the hospital in Smithville where investigators conducted further examination and made additional photographs of the body. The body was examined and photographed again. The photographs taken at the hospital did not show the storage locker lid imprint on Lauren’s chest,” Sheriff Ray continued.
“The body was then taken to Nashville to the state medical examiner’s office. Again, Lauren’s body was photographed and did not show any marks on her chest that resembled the claimed “canoe” mark,” he said.
Smith wants to know why Lauren’s friends at the campsite with her never reported her missing or contacted the family immediately after her disappearance. Last year she filed a $10 million wrongful death lawsuit against them which remains pending in court.
The following is a complete text of Sheriff Ray’s written statement released to WJLE this morning (Monday).
“First, let me say that I am a parent of a teenager. Although I have not had to bear such a tragedy as the Agee’s, I fully appreciate why the parents of Lauren Agee want closure in their daughter’s death. Additionally, I take my oath of office and accountability to our citizens and visitors seriously. With that said, I want to be as sensitive and understanding as I can while responding to the recent inaccurate statements broadcast in recent news stories by Dennis Ferrier on Fox 17 News.
It is highly unusual for a law enforcement agency to comment on an investigation that has been closed. However, the integrity of this investigation has now been questioned by those who have not sought factual information, and put into a public forum. As a result, I feel it is necessary to share the facts surrounding this investigation that have been vetted by my department, forensic information from the state medical examiner, and the District Attorney’s office. Below are the facts that refute several inaccuracies stated in Mr. Ferrier’s “files”:
•This incident was reported on July 26, 2015 on Center Hill Lake at Pates Ford Marina where a large outdoor event, referred to as “Wakefest”, was going on that weekend.
•A body was found around 4:43 pm by a fisherman. The body was floating face down in the lake.
•The body was identified as that of 21 year old Lauren Taylor Agee.
•Through the investigation, it was found that Lauren and her friends had been camping atop a narrow bluff across from Pates Ford Marina, where Lauren and another individual had tied their hammock. The body was found face-down in the water in slough behind the bluff where Agee’s hammock was found.
•The Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency also responded to the scene that day. TWRA officers assisted the sheriff’s department detectives in loading the body onto a TWRA boat to transport the body back to the boat ramp. The body was placed face down on the side of one of the TWRA boats.
•There has been some question concerning a photograph taken by a DeKalb Sheriff’s Department detective, on the TWRA boat, showing a resemblance of a canoe mark on Lauren’s chest. After examining the photographs taken before transporting the body to the boat ramp, our investigation determined this mark is an identical match to the TWRA boat storage locker lid where the body was placed facedown during transport to the boat ramp.
•Lauren’s body was taken directly to the hospital in Smithville where investigators conducted further examination and made additional photographs of the body. The body was examined and photographed again. The photographs taken at the hospital did not show the storage locker lid imprint on Lauren’s chest.
•The body was then taken to Nashville to the state medical examiner’s office. Again, Lauren’s body was photographed and did not show any marks on her chest that resembled the claimed “canoe” mark.
•The autopsy toxicology results document her blood/alcohol levels were over twice the legal limit.
•As far as being choked, as a family member has claimed, the photographs taken during this investigation show no marks or bruising around Lauren’s neck, and the medical examiner’s report supports the detective’s findings. The medical examiner’s report stated the larynx was not crushed, but was intact.
•The medical examiners autopsy report concludes Lauren Agee’s death was accidental with the cause of death determined as “multiple blunt force injuries”. The pathologist further informed the investigating detective that Agee’s injuries are consistent with a fall. The autopsy report further shows multiple injuries to the back of her head, spine, and back, and that drowning was a possible contributing factor to her death.
•During the investigation, I personally went with the detective to speak with Lauren’s mother. Her mother began to tell a story of a security officer who was working at the Wakefest event at Pates Ford Marina. The security officer told Lauren’s mother he was present at the lake the evening Lauren’s body was found. She said the security officer told her a story of one of the people that was with Lauren. She said the security officer commented that this individual was on the boat with him and was starring at the security officer’s sidearm (handgun) and made a remark about wanting to get off the boat. This security officer never mentioned this to law enforcement on the scene and it created great concern for my detectives.
•After hearing Lauren’s mother’s comments, my detective and I immediately located this security officer who was, at this time, employed with the White County Sheriff’s Department. We met with him in Sparta and his only information to us was that he just felt like something was not right. He gave no leads or evidence of any foul play. Since that time, FOX 17 News reported that we haven’t spoken to either of the two security officers who were there. This is completely not true and causes immediate concern for this security officer’s credibility and motive.
•One of the security officers is also shown on FOX 17 News throwing a weighted dummy down an embankment. There has been no evidence provided to indicate the location where Lauren could have possibly fell. The slope below the make-shift campsite, on both sides of the narrow bluff, ranges from very steep to vertical. If the security officer knew that Lauren fell, and from which location she fell from, why would he not be cooperative with detectives by sharing this pertinent information?
•After the investigation was over, the sheriff’s department detective, who was assigned to the case, met with the district attorney’s investigator and shared all information involving this case. The district attorney’s office concluded the detective’s findings were documented and justified as being consistent with accidental death.
•I told Lauren’s mother, step-father, and father if they obtain any additional information about this case, my department would make every effort to follow up. On September 23, 2015, we sat down in a follow up conference with the family to discuss our investigation and findings and to answer questions from the family. Lauren’s father and step-father attended the meeting, but didn’t have any questions. They picked up Lauren’s personal belongings inventoried as part of the investigation and then departed. Lauren’s mother chose not to attend the meeting.
As I said when I opened this statement, I deeply regret to have to publically respond to misinformation that has been instigated and broadcast through the Nashville news media and social media. These matters are painful to the family and friends of Lauren Agee, and I have tried my best to protect the integrity of this case and the sensitivity and privacy of this family. It has never been a practice of mine to publically reveal, through any media source, details of the DeKalb County Sheriff Department’s investigations; for this case, or any other case. However, serious, unfounded, and harmful allegations have been leveled towards my department in reference to the proper investigation of this case. I feel I owe it to Lauren, her family, and the citizens that my department is sworn to protect and serve to provide a factual rebuttal to these allegations.
It is very difficult for any law enforcement agency to conduct an investigation when the media and people using social media throw out rumors and opinions that cannot be substantiated. It’s extremely difficult and challenging for law enforcement to decipher all this information and sort out rumors from facts. When the district attorney’s office reviews a case with us, we always discuss whether or not there is proof beyond a reasonable doubt that a crime has been committed. From the beginning of this investigation until now, there is simply no evidence in this tragic case that will support Lauren’s death being considered homicide or foul play. If someone has credible information or evidence that shows otherwise, it is my duty, obligation, and desire to further pursue this investigation. I find it shameful that some of our Nashville news sources choose glamour and controversy over facts and integrity. That’s not fair to Lauren, her family, her friends, or the justice system.
With that said, I welcome and encourage the District Attorney’s Office and/or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to review this case again and make their own conclusions about my department’s handling of this case. I pledge my department’s continued cooperation.
This case is officially closed, but I can assure anyone that if any new credible information or evidence is received, it will be properly and thoroughly investigated; just as we would with any other closed or open case,” concluded Sheriff Ray’s statement.
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