STEUBENVILLE, Oh. — A homicide investigation here has an apparent connection to Scott County.
Authorities from Jefferson County, Oh., traveled to Tennessee over the weekend as part of their investigation into the murder of a man there.
The body of Shelby F. Miller, 56, was discovered in a rural wooded area by Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department authorities Thursday evening. The following day, Miller’s son, Travis N. Miller, 27, was taken into custody in Anderson County.
The younger Miller had not been charged with his father’s murder as of Monday, but was described as a suspect in the case.
At least three Tennessee law enforcement agencies assisted Ohio authorities with their investigation, including the Oneida Police Department.
Oneida Chief of Police Mike Cross confirmed Monday that investigators from Ohio had collected a shotgun and six shells from his department’s possession. Cross said his department had retrieved the gun after receiving a tip from a caller who will not be identified.
It was unclear whether the shotgun was believed to be the murder weapon in the case.
The Wheeling (Ohio) News-Register reported Saturday that Shelby Miller died from a gunshot wound to the head.
Reportedly, investigators discovered Miller’s body Thursday near a fishing hole he frequented along Yellow Creek, covered in weeds.
The News-Register reported that Miller was believed to have been killed on Monday, Sept. 21. On Wednesday, Sept. 23, Miller’s daughter contacted police in his hometown of East Liverpool to report him missing.
According to news reports, investigators were steered towards fishing areas in their search for Miller after Travis Miller allegedly sent a text message to another family member showing him holding a catfish. Allegedly, Miller told them he had driven his father to South Carolina and was on his way back to Ohio.
After the discovery of the elder Miller’s body, Ohio authorities contacted the Morgan County Sheriff’s Department. Travis Miller’s mother is said to reside in Morgan County.
According to the Herald-Register, investigators recovered Shelby Miller’s vehicle at the Morgan County residence, and were told that Travis Miller was at Methodist Medical Center in Oak Ridge, where he was being treated for an undisclosed ailment.
Oak Ridge police officers arrested Miller shortly before he was released from the hospital Friday. After waiving extradition, he was transported to Ohio on Sunday.
Miller was charged with theft of a credit card and theft of a vehicle. Additional charges were said to be pending.
