ATHENS MAN ARRESTED, CHARGED IN HOMICIDE, FIRE AT LOCAL CHURCH in MCMINN COUNTY

On August 15th, TBI special agents certified in fire and explosives investigations began a case into the fire at St. Mark AME Zion Church in the 700 block of North Jackson Street in Athens. During the initial investigation, authorities found the body of 69-year-old Linda Buchanan inside the church, and an autopsy subsequently revealed she died prior to the fire.

Further investigative efforts and evidence collected by TBI special agents, with the assistance of Athens Police Department, led to Kyle Hickox (DOB 3/28/1988), as the individual responsible for Buchanan's death and the fire at the chu...