New leads in case of TN man missing since 2005

HAYWOOD COUNTY, Tenn. — A forensic team will investigate a Haywood County site Monday after the daughter of a Stanton, Tennessee man missing for 19 years received a tip that her father’s remains were buried in the area.

Freddie Louis Whittiemore, known as “Buddy,” was about 72 years old when he disappeared on June 19, 2005. He was last seen between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m. a mile from his home, standing alongside Charleston Road and Highway 179.

Whittiemore was out walking his dog. The dog later returned, but he did not.

Haywood County Sheriff Billy Garrett said Whittiemore’s daughter contacted his office last week with a tip she said she received from a former Stanton resident.

“The tipster stated he got this information from another male who stated that Mr. Whittimore’s body was buried near the dumpsters on Highway 179 near Chaney Lane shortly after he was reported missing,” Garrett said in a news release.

The sheriff’s office began investigating, and on Friday, Garrett said cadaver dogs indicated a hit near the spot where the tipster said Whittiemore’s body may have been buried.

“We want some closure,” said Dottie Norwood, Whittiemore’s daughter. “It’s a sad and bad thing to think about, but we’re hoping it’s — I hate to say it — but we hope it’s daddy. We want to bring him home.”

Garrett said they don’t yet know what the dogs found, but they requested the district attorney’s office to have forensic experts check the area this week.

The sheriff’s office has two people of interest in Whittimore’s case. Their identities were not released but Garrett said the investigation is ongoing.

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The area around Chaney Lane and Highway 179 will be secured on Monday as the search continues.

Whittiemore is also said to have suffered from dementia and additional medical conditions.

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