Severed head, body parts found in Boone Lake area

From Staff Reports

   JOHNSON CITY -- Authorities are conducting an investigation into the discovery of human body parts around Boone Lake on Friday and Saturday.
   The Washington County Sheriff's Department reported that deputies were called to the park on Friday evening, where the two men reported finding a severed human head in the lake near the boat ramp at Winged Deer Park.
   According to Sheriff Fred Phillips, deputies responded to the scene and found the head floating in 10 feet of water.
   The department reported it was unknown how long the head had been in the water, but it was apparent that it had been in the water for a period of at least 10 days due to the decomposition.
   Preliminary investigation indicated the victim to be between 16 years old and 30 years old, according to the sheriff's department report. An earlier report indicated that the victim was a white male, but authorities changed the report Saturday to state a preliminary investigation had not revealed the gender of the deceased.
   In a statement released Saturday, Phillips reported that deputies responded to Knob Creek Boat Dock on Saturday where a fisherman reported he had found a severed left hand near the water's edge.
   Sheriff's Department search teams later discovered a severed right hand just south of the Devault Bridge, according to a Department statement.
   Assisting the Sheriff's Department in the investigation are the Johnson City Police Department, Tennessee Valley Authority Police and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
   The Washington County Sheriff's Department is requesting that anyone having any knowledge of the deceased or any leads into the investigation, please call 423-461-1414.
   A reward is being offered for information leading to the identification of the deceased.