HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. — The Haywood County man who U.S. Marshals Service were searching for following the disappearance of 34-year-old Britney Watson, his ex-wife, was arrested Friday, Jan. 20, according to Haywood County Sheriff Department.
The sheriff department issued a warrant for Kevin Watson's arrest, accusing him of first degree murder.
U.S. Marshals were initially unable to locate Kevin, and they offered a $5,000 reward to anyone who could help them locate him on Jan. 19.
The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday it believed that 34-year-old Britney, who had been missing for more than a week, was dead.
According to the sheriff's department, a body was found buried near a Hillville Loop home — Britney's last known location —
Although positive identification has not been made yet, all search activity has been suspended at this time.
The Haywood County Sheriff’s Office said Tuesday it believed Britney was dead.
The sheriff's office has been out searching several areas, including their house and land throughout the area and a storage facility. They said several people have been questioning in the case.
The sheriff said Friday, Jan. 20, they had plans to bring in ground penetrating radar equipment, and the EMA and TWRA teams will search near the Hatchie Wildlife area. He also said they may use boats again to check the river.
The sheriff said the couple had been married but had gotten divorced several years ago. He said the two had been trying to reconcile in recent years.
Britney Watson was reported missing Saturday after she was last seen Jan. 7, 2023, in Haywood County. At the time, her ex-husband Kevin Watson was also missing, and his truck was found abandoned in a wooded area in Haywood County.
The sheriff said a note from Kevin Watson and his cell phone was found in the truck, which said "I'm gonna make it easy for you guys."
The sheriff said Kevin Watson was also on the phone with a friend, and reportedly confided information to that friend that led them to their current conclusions.
According to the sheriff’s office, Britney was last seen wearing jeans and a gray hoodie. Her last known location was at 3317 Hillville Loop on Jan. 7 around noon. The Sheriff's Office also said her truck was found with a flat tire when it was located. Kevin’s truck was found in a different location in the Big Eddy area, the sheriff's office said.
The sheriff’s office asks anyone with any information about Britney Watson is asked to call Haywood County Sheriff’s Office at 731-772-6158 or dispatch at 731-772-1215.