Burns' body was dumped in the edge of a culvert along
Lick Fork Road near the intersection of Lion's (Lyons) Fork
By Bob Weaver
State Police have confirmed the murder of Spencer resident Daniel Burns. Police say Burns was allegedly beaten to death last Thursday inside a residence at 511 Market Street, two blocks from downtown Spencer.
Three suspects have been arrested after Burns' body was dumped near the intersection of Lions (Lyons) Fork and Lick Fork, a short distance from U. S. 119 and Spencer.
Police said one suspect "used a knife to remove Mr. Burns' left pinky finger."
A press release said an altercation took place at the Spencer residence between Burns, Joey Wayne Hicks and his wife Crystal Knicley Hicks, a former resident of the Chloe area.
Murder house is adjacent the United Methodist
Memorial Church on Market Street
The Spencer Police Department investigated a call to the residence Thursday, where the occupants told officers that there had been an argument with Burns, who lived just up the street from them. They told police Burns had just left, walking toward his residence.
Spencer Police Chief Gary Williams said Burns could not be located Friday, and he returned to the Market Street residence to speak to the occupants where the man was last seen. He spoke with the Hicks couple and Raymond Lee Elswick.
Chief Williams received information as to the possible location of Burns and that "he was possibly injured or dead." He then contacted Trooper J. K. Cox.
Friday night, shortly before midnight, Chief Williams, Trooper Cox and Sheriff Todd Cole went to Lick Fork (see map) and discovered the body. The State Police Crime Lab was summoned for an evidence search.
Arrested as suspects and being held in Central Regional Jail on murder counts, are Raymond L. Elswick, 40, Joey Wayne Hicks, 27, and his wife, Crystal Renaye Hicks, 26.
They were arraigned before Roane magistrate Russell Goodwin.
Burns, who did odd jobs for Spencer residents, was known to have a drinking problem, having previous encounters with law enforcement.
Burn's body was taken to the State Medical Examiner's office.
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