Carter Co. inmate Billy Fletcher charged with murder in connection to Victor Birchfield’s disappearance

ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) – Billy Fletcher, an inmate who escaped work detail and was captured in South Carolina last week, has been indicted on charges of first-degree murder in connection with the disappearance of Victor Birchfield, according to a release from the Carter County Sheriff’s Office.

Fletcher was indicted with charges of first-degree murder, first-degree murder during the commission of a felony, abuse of a corpse, and theft over $2,500 by a Johnson County grand jury on Friday, the release said.

According to court documents, investigators believe Fletcher murdered Birchfield and stole his vehicle on June 20.

Birchfield was reported missing on June 21.

After returning to Carter County after being caught in South Carolina, Fletcher gave officials information that led to human remains that were discovered in Butler on July 6.

Birchfield’s daughter told News Channel 11 that she believes the remains to be her father’s . Although the remains await official identification, the release said the remains are believed to be Birchfield’s.

According to the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, an investigation is ongoing, and additional charges against Fletcher are pending.

Fletcher’s bond has been set at $1 million and is scheduled to be arraigned in Johnson County on Aug. 9.

The Johnson County Sheriff’s Office, the Carter County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are working on the case.

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