You are here: / / / March

KPD e-News Release: Frequently Asked Questions About The Layla Santanello Case

SUBJECT:  Frequently Asked Questions About The Layla Santanello Case

DATE:  March 4th, 2024 

CASE #: 23-012961

A picture containing person, outdoor Description automatically generated

 

Q: What has the Kingsport Police Department done in this investigation?

A:

  • The KPD has obtained and served over 30 search warrants.
  • Entered Layla in VICAP, an FBI database and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NAMUS).
  • Conducted a search of 562 Dale Street (residence of Layla Santanello and Michael Thompson) by search warrant on August 4th, 2023.
  • Over 25 subpoenas have been issued.
  • 6 ground searches have been conducted which included the use of drones, Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), and K-9.
  • Holly Bobo Act, which provides the support of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation
  • Numerous interviews.

 

 

Q: Is this case related to the Hollynn Snapp case?

A: No, Kingsport Detectives have collaborated with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and have discovered no evidence to support these cases are related.

 

 

 

Q: What other agencies have assisted with this investigation?

A: Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Other agencies have assisted with ground searches to include: Sullivan County Emergency Management, Kingsport Fire Dept, Kingsport Life Saving Crew, Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office, Bristol Tennessee Fire Department, Hawkins County Rescue Squad, Church Hill Rescue Squad, Washington County Rescue Squad, Johnson City Fire and Rescue, and Unicoi Rescue Squad.

 

 

 

Q: What is the Kingsport Police Department doing next?

A: This case is a priority for the KPD. Detectives are still pursuing all leads and tips. If anyone has any information pertaining to the disappearance of Layla should call 423-343-9780 or 1-800-TBI-FIND.

 

 

 

Q: Was Layla last seen at Marble Slab?

A: No. Early in the investigation, Detectives and Agents believed she was last seen at Marble Slab based on several witness statements. Detectives and Agents followed the lead and eventually learned that the woman who was seen at Marble Slab was not Layla. They confirmed that information through phone records as well as identifying the woman and interviewing her.

 

 

 

Q: Where was Layla last seen?

A: Layla was last seen on June 27, 2023, at approximately 6:15 am, in a field next to Americourt (1900 American Way, Kingsport, TN).

 

 

 

Q: When was Layla reported missing?

A: On June 27th, 2023.

 

 

 

Q: How long has Layla been missing?

A: Since June 27, 2023.

 

 

 

Q: Is Layla’s disappearance connected to any other missing persons cases?

A: No. There has been no evidence to connect Layla’s disappearance to any other missing person’s case.

 

 

 

Q: Is the Michael Thompson arrest related to Layla’s disappearance?

A: No. There is no evidence to suggest that Thompson was related to Layla’s disappearance.  Michael Thompson was charged by the Sullivan County Grand Jury with Extortion and Identity Theft based on evidence collected throughout this investigation related to the Cash App requests that had been sent to several of Layla’s family members and friends after she was reported missing.

MISSING PERSON INFORMATION

Name: Layla Santanello 

Age: 20 

Gender/Race: Female/White 

Height/Weight: 4’10″/135 

Hair/Eyes: Blonde/Brown 

Residency: Kingsport, TN 

Last Known Location: In the area of American Way

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

KPD e-News Release: KPD Arrest Man For Posing As Missing Person

SUBJECT:  KPD Arrest Man For Posing As Missing Person

DATE:  March 4th, 2024 

CASE #: 24-000383

GENERAL NARRATIVE

On February 14th, 2024, Michael David Thompson was indicted by the Sullivan County Grand Jury for identity theft, theft under $1,000, illegal possession or fraudulent use of credit or debit card, and extortion based on evidence collected throughout the investigation of Layla Santanello’s disappearance.

 

Evidence collected suggests that Thompson posed as Layla and sent Cash App requests to several of her family members and friends after she was reported missing.

 

On March 4th, 2024, Kingsport Police Officers located and arrested Thompson for the warrants. Thompson was taken to the Sullivan County Jail where he was booked in for the charges. Thompson’s bond was set at $15,000.

 

There is no evidence to support that Thompson had any involvement in Santanello’s disappearance.

 

SUSPECT INFORMATION

Name:  Michael Thompson

Age: 21

Gender/Race: Male/White 

Residency: Kingsport, TN 

Charges: Identity Theft, Theft Under $1,000, Illegal Possession Or Fraudulent Use Of Credit Or Debit Card, Extortion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RELEASING OFFICER

Corporal Brandon Johnson

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit

Office (423) 229-9339, Fax (423) 343-9749 

BrandonJohnson@KingsportTN.gov

 

 

 

Media Report 03/01/2024

This content has restricted access, please type the password below and get access.


kingsport logo

2024 Strategic Planning Session

On February 23, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen held a day-long, strategic planning session at city hall. The BMA heard updates from staff on the city’s finances, economic development efforts and budget priorities and challenges for the coming year.

To view the presentations from the strategic planning session, please see below.

Budget – Labor – Capital Improvement Projects – Regional Sales Tax

Customer Information System & Financial Information System

Capital Projects – Economic Development – Library – Bays Mountain

kingsport logo

Kingsport overcomes unexpected challenges in 24′ budget

The City of Kingsport plans to the end the 2024 fiscal year with a strong rainy-day fund, a manageable debt level and a goal of capturing roughly $1.5 million in cash reserves to fund small one-time capital projects in the coming fiscal year.

All this while facing unexpected financial challenges, including an appraisal ratio which resulted in a significant reduction in the amount of revenue the City receives in property taxes for fiscal year 2024 and a sales tax refunding due to a local entity overpaying sales tax – both of which had a $5.1 million impact on the city’s budget.

“Our budget has taken a couple of unexpected hits this year, but our staff has been able to work through those challenges and made the necessary adjustments to position ourselves to end the fiscal year in a positive position,” said City Manager Chris McCartt. “Kingsport is fortunate to have a strong rainy-day fund; conservative debt management and built in budget flexibility. All of these are necessary for any organization to be able to weather the unexpected budgetary hits Kingsport has had this fiscal year.

“As a result, we find ourselves in a positive position moving into the final months of FY-24.”

An appraisal ratio study is performed every two years per state law and is designed to create equity between personal and real property. This year, the study resulted in a $3.8 million loss to Kingsport’s general fund budget.

In response, the City Manager and the Budget Office restructured the budget to absorb the loss, noting that growth will offset nearly half of the projected $3.8 million loss for the coming year.

The second financial challenge Kingsport dealt with this year happened when a local entity overpaid sales taxes in 2015, 2016 and 2017. As a result, Kingsport is expected to see approximately $1.3 million refunded to the entity by the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

“Refunding’s are not uncommon but rarely are they this significant,” McCartt notes.

Even with these budgetary challenges, Kingsport is projected to end the fiscal year with approximately $27 million in its rainy-day fund and a debt ratio of 6.92%.

Budget adjustments for the remaining fiscal year include holding expenditures and key general fund positions, recapturing excess debt service funds and prioritizing cash-funded projects. By taking these steps, city finance officials believe Kingsport can finish the fiscal year with approximately $1.5 million in cash reserves.

In all, total city revenues for the current fiscal year are expected to be 1.24% higher than the original budget estimates or by approximately $1.18 million.

Kingsport is estimating it will collect nearly $44 million in property taxes for the 2024 fiscal year, along with $23 million in local option sales taxes. Combined, these two revenue sources account for 69% of the city’s total revenue for the fiscal year.

This information was presented to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen during a day-long, strategic planning session held February 23 at city hall. The BMA heard updates from staff on the city’s finances, economic development efforts and budget priorities and challenges for the coming year. 

To view the presentations from the strategic planning session, please see below.

Budget – Labor – Capital Improvement Projects – Regional Sales Tax

Customer Information System & Financial Information System

Capital Projects – Economic Development – Library – Bays Mountain

 

Parks and Recreation Logo

Kingsport hosting Family Fun Night event

The Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department is hosting a Family Fun Night event on March 9 at the V.O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex (301 Louis Street).

The free event will take place from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and feature multiple games of glow dodgeball.

Glow events are when participants wear neon or white clothes, the lights of a gym are turned off and the black lights are turned on. Everyone then “glows” in the dark while playing a game of dodgeball.

Though the event is free, Kingsport Parks and Recreation officials are asking folks to register to know approximately how many people will be showing up.

To register, visit https://bit.ly/3SNTehg. You can also click on the CivicRec link in the Connect Kingsport app or go to www.kingsporttn.gov and click on the “CivicRec” link, then search for “glow dodgeball” in the search bar.

For information about other events, activities and programs offered by the Kingsport Parks and Recreation Department, please visit www.kingsportparksandrecreation.org

Link to: City of Kingsport
City of Kingsport, Tennessee