Body found in rural Williamson Co. identified

JOHNSTON CITY - Williamson County Coroner Mike "Junior" Burke said that an autopsy conducted Monday by Dr. John Heidingsfelder, a forensic pathologist from Utica, Ky., confirmed that the body found in Johnston City Saturday was indeed Shawn Patrick Murphy.

Murphy, 42, was last seen alive at Arrowhead Lake Campground on Dec. 12.

Witnesses reported that his camper door was open, the contents "disheveled," and his cellphone had been left there.

Area law enforcement officials conducted an extensive search of the area, including a sonar search of the lake, trying to locate Murphy.

Murphy's family organized a search last week that produced no further clues to his whereabouts.

According to officials, Murphy's body was located on private property about a mile north of the campground just off Eberhardt Road.

Although Murphy's body was not positively identified by officials until Monday afternoon, Murhpy's family posted the following statement on the "Find Shawn P. Murphy" Facebook late Saturday evening: "It is with great sadness that we confirm that our loved one, Shawn, was located today (Saturday). We'd like to thank everyone for all the thoughts, prayers and support over the last several weeks. We are deeply grateful for all the efforts of law enforcement, and everyone who assisted us in searching for Shawn. Our family is extremely saddened by this loss, and respectfully asks for privacy at this time."

According to the post, Murphy's body will be cremated and a private family service will be held at a later date.

Burke said cause of death has not yet been determined, but that there are "no outward signs of trauma."

Burke added that he and law enforcement officials are awaiting toxicology reports to perhaps shed even more light on the case.