Saturday, April 30, 2011
Lawrence Man Charged In Easter Murder Of Memphis Man
A Lawrence County man has been jailed on murder
charges in Wayne County for allegedly shooting an acquaintance five times, cutting his throat, then driving to Hardin County to dump his body in the Tennessee River.
The body of Memphis resident Scott Wayne Sobey, II, 33, was found floating in the river on Easter Sunday, April 24, in the area of the Nixon community, approximately two miles from where his body was dumped.
Authorities report that Sobey, who was on parole through Memphis Probation and Parole Reporting Center, left the halfway house at which he was living on April 8, and was due back at the home on April 10. Authorities report that Sobey had been missing since that time.
Once Sobey’s body was identified, officials in Hardin initiated a murder investigation. During the course of that investigation they determined that Brent Darnell Rowden, 33, of 49 Turnpike, was the last person to see Sobey alive.
Authorities indicate Sobey was visiting a friend in Lawrenceburg when Rowden, a former pod mate at the West Tennessee State Penitentiary in Henning, picked him up. The pair then went to a home located at 6179 Caperton Hollow Road, Iron City, where they allegedly began to cook methamphetamine.
According to law enforcement officials, Rowden and Sobey became involved in an altercation outside the house, likely drug-related, and Rowden killed Sobey.
Lawrence County authorities arrested Rowden Friday on an outstanding warrant for violation of probation. Hardin County investigators conducted an interview during which he allegedly confessed to the murder.
Once it was learned that the murder had actually taken place in Wayne County, Soben was transported to Waynesboro and the investigation turned over to law enforcement officials there.
Wayne County investigators report they were able to obtain information during interrogation that lead them to the Iron City home. There, they report they were able to collect evidence that confirmed Rowden’s statement.
Rowden is currently jailed on charges of first degree murder, initiation and promotion of the manufacture of methamphetamine, and tampering with evidence. He is being held without bond at the Wayne County Jail.
