200 Shelby Street • Kingsport, TN 37660

ThomasMPatton • 423-229-9433 (Desk) • 423-224-2786 (FAX)

On February 17, 2016, human remains were located in a remote section of Greene County, TN within the confines of the Cherokee National Forest. The remains were taken to the Forensic Pathology Department of the Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University for examination. Since that time, those remains have been positively identified as Christopher A. West.

Detectives are continuing to explore the circumstances surrounding Mr. West’s death. The Kingsport Police Department would like to thank the Greene County Sheriff’s Office, the Office of the District Attorney General of the 3rd Judicial District, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for their continuing cooperation, assistance, and support with this investigation.

As this is still an open and active investigation, no additional details will be released at this time.

Anyone who has any information relative to Mr. West’s disappearance or demise is asked to contact Detectives in the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division by calling 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

http://police.KingsportTN.gov/Citizen_Feedback

As previously released:

The Kingsport Police Department is requesting assistance from the public in locating a missing and potentially endangered adult. On January 27, 2016, Christopher A. West was reported missing by his sister. She stated that he had been out of contact with friends and family since December 1, 2015 and that this was very out of character for him.

Further investigation by the K.P.D. Criminal Investigations Division revealed that Mr. West had been inactive on social media since mid-December; however, he was actually last seen on the evening of Christmas Day, December 25, 2015. A female acquaintance reported that Mr. West left her residence at Holly Hills Apartments #53, located at 3613 Watterson Street in Kingsport, that evening to run an errand, but he never returned, and she has had no contact with him since.

Mr. West often goes by the nickname of “Smurf.” He is described as a small-statured 39 year old white male. He is approximately 5 feet 6 inches in height and weighs roughly 160 pounds. He has short brown hair in a “buzz” or “crew” cut and brown eyes. He has a thin mustache and goatee and a large blue rose tattoo in the center of the back of his neck. He does not currently have a permanent home address and Detectives do not have any information regarding his clothing or means of transportation.

Based upon some additional reliable information relayed to Detectives during the course of the investigation, there is significant cause to be concerned for his safety and general welfare. The specific details of this information are being withheld at this time.

A photograph of Mr. West has been included in this release. He has been entered into N.C.I.C. as a missing endangered person. Anyone who sees him or knows his whereabouts, or who may have any additional information which may assist with this investigation is asked to contact Detectives at 423-229-9429 or call Kingsport Central Dispatch at 423-246-9111.

Alternatively, if an individual who is able to supply information related to this or any other case wishes not to be identified, tips can be submitted anonymously via online “Citizen Feedback” forms available at the following link:

http://police.KingsportTN.gov/Citizen_Feedback

Weight

160 pounds

Eyes

Brown Eyes

Identifiers

Holly Hills Apartments #53

3613 Watterson Street

Kingsport, TN

Kingsport Police Department Professional Standards Unit