The National Park Service is advising that two arrests have been made in connection with the body of Duane Hollenbeck discovered in Chickamauga Battlefield on Dec, 12. Jennifer Demott, from Geneva, N.Y., was arrested and is currently in Catoosa County Jail. Robert Brooks, also from Geneva, N.Y., was arrested a few days later and is currently in Knox County Jail, awaiting extradition to Catoosa County. Both individuals have been charged with felony murder.
During the investigation it was found that Mr. Hollenbeck and Demott knew each other. Mr. Hollenbeck was invited to go on a “road trip” with Demott and Brooks to the Tennessee/North Georgia area. Visitors who were hiking in the national park on Dec. 12 contacted Catoosa County 911 Dispatch office reporting that they discovered a body adjacent to a trail in Chickamauga Battlefield. Park rangers responded to the scene and an investigation was started.
The body of Mr. Hollenbeck was transported to Atlanta where an autopsy was performed to determine the cause of death. The autopsy report has not been released due to the toxicology report not being finalized. Detectives working this case reported that Mr. Hollenbeck suffered blunt force trauma.
With the cooperation and collaboration of the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Catoosa County Coroner’s Office, New York State Police and the National Park Service, these two individuals were apprehended.
Chief Ranger Todd Roeder stated that even though these types of incidents are rare in this and other national parks, they can occur on public lands. At Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, rangers work every day to ensure that visitors, staff, and volunteers remain safe, said officials.