Two suspects arrested in Sequatchie slaying

The Sequatchie County Sheriff's Office has arrested two suspects in the death of Clifford M. Carden Jr.

Thomas Bryan Bettis, 35, of Sequatchie County, and Susan Lynette Baker of Graysville, Tenn., each is charged with felony murder, especially aggravated robbery, and setting fire to personal property, according to Sheriff Ronnie Hitchcock.

Both are in custody and is being held without bond.

Hitchcock said Bettis turned himself in Tuesday, and deputies arrested Baker in Soddy-Daisy later that evening.

Carden's body was found Thursday in the Sequatchie River by a local man who was collecting cans along East Valley Road, Hitchcock said.

Carden, 55, of 560 New Harmony Road, in Graysville, Tenn., had suffered trauma to his head before his body was dumped into the water under Pickett's Bridge, Sheriff Ronnie Hitchcock said during a news conference Friday.

The sheriff's department was assisted by agents of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

For complete details, see tomorrow's Times Free Press.

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