Authorities in Tennessee are continuing to investigate the death of a 22-year-old woman whose body was discovered outside a Chattanooga motel after she had been reported missing for several days.
The victim, Elysia Kinsella, was found on July 8 in the parking lot of a Studio 6 Suites motel. A 40-year-old man, Donte Taylor, has since been arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence, while investigators continue working to determine exactly how Kinsella died.
Surveillance Video Becomes Key Evidence
According to an arrest affidavit, surveillance cameras captured Taylor arriving at the motel in a gray Ford Crown Victoria before later removing what investigators believed was Kinsella’s body from a motel room.
Police allege Taylor attempted to place the body inside the trunk of his vehicle but was unsuccessful. Investigators say he then left the body in the motel parking lot before driving away.
Driver Told Investigators He “Remembered Feeling the Bumps”
Court documents state that Taylor later spoke with detectives after his arrest.
According to investigators, he admitted moving the body and told police he remembered “feeling the bumps” after his vehicle passed over it while leaving the scene.
Authorities also allege surveillance footage showed Taylor later cleaning the rear portion of his vehicle, where investigators believed biological evidence may have been present.
Cause of Death Still Under Investigation
Although Taylor has been charged with offenses related to handling the body and evidence, authorities have not announced homicide charges.
The Hamilton County Medical Examiner is continuing to investigate Kinsella’s cause and manner of death. Officials say those findings will play an important role in determining whether additional criminal charges are appropriate.
Investigation Remains Active
Police located Taylor later the same day and took him into custody.
He is scheduled to appear in court in August while investigators continue gathering forensic evidence and interviewing witnesses.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Kinsella’s final hours to contact the Chattanooga Police Department as the investigation remains ongoing.
