"He was believed to be armed with at least one handgun and extra ammunition."
Authorities in Stewart County, Tennessee, have called off a multi-day manhunt for Craig Berry, a 53-year-old retired special forces veteran, after his body was discovered on May 8. Berry was wanted in connection with a domestic shooting incident involving his wife. The search, which began on May 1 (or April 30, depending on the source), concluded with the discovery of Berry's body several miles from his home.
Incident Timeline
According to an arrest warrant affidavit, Berry's wife stated that Berry beat and attempted to strangle her shortly before midnight on April 30. She escaped into her car, at which point Berry shot her, inflicting a wound to her neck. She was taken to a medical facility and has since been released from the hospital. Deputies responded to the scene near River Trace Road in Dover, Tennessee, but Berry fled into nearby wooded terrain before they arrived.
Charges
Court documents indicate Berry faced multiple charges, including:
- Second-degree attempted murder
- Attempted murder
- Domestic assault
- Aggravated assault
- Leaving the scene of an accident
Search Details
The search for Berry involved coordination between federal, state, and local authorities, including the Stewart County Sheriff's Office, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The terrain, which included steep hills and the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, complicated the search.
A trail camera captured an image of an individual believed to be Berry wearing camouflage clothing on May 1. Berry was described as having extensive survival training, being an excellent swimmer and diver, and being in good physical condition. He was believed to be armed with at least one handgun and extra ammunition. Authorities stated they had not ruled out the possibility that Berry received outside assistance. During the manhunt, Berry called his parents, who cooperated with investigators. Stewart County Middle School was placed on a soft lockdown on Monday, May 4, due to law enforcement activity in the area, though officials stated there was no direct threat to the school.
Conclusion
Berry's body was found on Wednesday, May 8, several miles from his home and near the area where trail cameras had captured him entering the woods. According to the Stewart County Sheriff's Office, a preliminary investigation indicates Berry died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was found with a single weapon and ammunition. The body has been sent to the medical examiner for an official determination of cause of death.