Police launch a major investigation after a grisly discovery on Dickerson Pike

A shocking discovery in Nashville has raised urgent questions for police and the wider community. On Friday morning, August 22, Metro Nashville officers responded to reports of human remains in a wooded patch behind a McDonald’s on Dickerson Pike. What began as one grim finding quickly turned into something even more disturbing: a headless, decomposing body and a skull located roughly 100 feet away.

A Scene Hidden in Plain Sight

The initial call came from a woman who spotted what looked like bones in the woods around 10:30 a.m. Police soon confirmed the remains were “severely decomposed” and partially skeletal. When homicide detectives and crime scene investigators combed the area, they located a skull lying closer to the McDonald’s parking lot, separated from the rest of the remains.

“It is unclear at this point who this person is, how this person got there, so those circumstances are under investigation at this time,” said Metro Police spokesperson Brooke Reese during a press briefing.

The discovery has been complicated by both Tennessee’s summer heat and the dense woodland terrain, making it difficult for CSI teams to recover and document evidence.

Community Shock

While violent crime is not unheard of in Nashville, residents say the gruesome nature of this case is unsettling. Local worker Tom Keesee told WSMV: “It’s pretty gory. That’s crazy. I don’t even know what to say. We live in a big city. I don’t want to say killings are normal, but a headless body—that’s the next level.”

No weapons were recovered at the site, and police stressed that it is not yet clear whether the skull and skeletal remains belong to the same person.

The Legal Angle: How Tennessee Handles Cases Like This

Under Tennessee law, the discovery of unidentified human remains automatically triggers a death investigation. If there is any indication of violence—or if the cause of death cannot be immediately determined—homicide detectives are required to take the lead. By law, remains must be processed by the state medical examiner’s office, where forensic anthropologists and pathologists attempt to establish identity through DNA, dental records, or other distinguishing features. If foul play is suspected, prosecutors from the Davidson County District Attorney’s Office will be briefed early in the process to determine whether charges could follow.

What Happens Next

Police say the next steps will involve forensic testing to confirm identity and determine how long the remains had been in the woods. Investigators will also examine whether the body was moved after death, and whether the separation of the skull from the body was caused by environmental factors or human involvement.

Until those questions are answered, authorities are treating the case as suspicious.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Where exactly were the remains found? The skeletal remains were discovered in a wooded area behind a McDonald’s on Dickerson Pike in Nashville. The skull was located about 100 feet away, near the restaurant’s parking lot.

Do police believe the skull and body belong to the same person? It has not been confirmed. Forensic testing will determine whether the remains are connected or if more than one individual is involved.

How long had the remains been in the woods? Authorities have not provided an estimate. Due to the level of decomposition and the recent heat, it could take weeks for forensic teams to narrow down a timeline.

What charges could result if foul play is proven? In Tennessee, homicide charges range from first-degree murder (if premeditation is shown) to negligent homicide. Prosecutors may also consider charges such as tampering with evidence or abuse of a corpse.

Could the case turn out not to be a crime? Yes. In some cases, decomposed remains are later determined to belong to individuals who died of natural causes or accidents. However, the separation of the skull and body in this case