Reward reaches $10K in search for Bean Station double homicide suspect

GRAINGER COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — The reward for information leading to the arrest of Aaron Ethan White, the suspect in a double homicide in Bean Station that happened in May, increased again this week.

The Grainger County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Marshals Service are searching for White, and with the help of the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers, the total reward now being offered has reached $10,000.

White has been charged with two counts of criminal homicide in relation to the deaths of Jon Atkins, 49, and Deven McDaniel. Atkins and McDaniel were found dead along Rocky Springs Road in Bean Station on May 25.

The TBI placed White on its Most Wanted List in June, offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to White’s apprehension, which was later followed by the Marshals Service also offering a $2,500 reward when they joined the search for White. Crime Stoppers is also offering a $2,000 reward for tips leading to White’s arrest.

On Monday, Grainger County Sheriff James Harville asked the County Commission to increase the total reward to $10,000, and the commission approved his request. Harville told 6 News that this is the longest such a case that he’s had without an arrest, so he had to go to the County Commission to get approval on increasing the reward.

According to the Marshals’ Service, White is a very dangerous individual and he is believed to be armed and dangerous. He is 6’1″ tall and weighs approximately 220 pounds with reddish brown hair. He has been known to have a long, thick beard, but law enforcement says he may no longer have the beard and may have shaved his head.

The Marshals Service also previously shared that the public’s help in this case is incredibly important as White may be more of a loner, which makes the search for him more difficult.

There are multiple ways to submit tips in this case, including:

• Contacting the U.S. Marshals’ 24-hour tip line at 1-877-WANTED2
• Calling the U.S. Marshals Service Communications Center at 1-800-336-0102
• Submitting information via the USMS Tips App
• Calling the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND
• Calling the Grainger County Sheriff’s office at 865-828-3613
• Or through the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers

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