After a nearly five-year investigation, authorities in Tennessee have charged Amanda Bishop and Eric Byrd with first-degree murder in the killing of National Guardsman Jacob Bishop. The authorities believe that a custody dispute involving the couple’s child was the motive behind the killing. Jacob Bishop was found dead in his apartment in 2019, bound and shot multiple times. Amanda Bishop, who was Jacob Bishop’s wife at the time, and Byrd, who is Amanda’s cousin, were arrested and their bonds were set at $1 million each.
While court records for the case are not available and it is unclear if the accused have legal representation, authorities stated that good detective work and new technology were essential in making the arrests. The investigation involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service. Jacob Bishop’s mother, Diane Bishop, expressed relief that there have been arrests in her son’s case but acknowledged that there may never be full closure. Former Loudon County Sheriff Tim Guidner noted that the case was complex but had not gone cold and was being actively investigated.
The authorities had initially identified around 400 possible suspects with ties to Jacob Bishop, and Amanda Bishop was considered a top suspect throughout the investigation. Despite the challenges and the lengthy process, Sheriff Jimmy Davis described the arrests as a relief and a step towards justice for Jacob Bishop and his family.
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