WARNING:  The following information concerns the results of an autopsy performed on local homicide victim, Brittany Ann Miller, on January 12, 2025.  Some of its content may not be suitable for all persons.  Our sincerest apologies, fondness and concerns remain for the family and friends of the deceased.

Brittany Ann Brock Miller left this world in 2022 worse than when she entered it in 1990. I did not have the privilege of knowing her, but with every passing written word, I grew to love her more and more.  The end of her life was horrific and extremely unpleasant to remember.

The extenuating circumstances surrounding her untimely, yet meticulously investigated, death can be summed-up in six words:  unsolved – metallic chest – ravine - mummification – decomposition - homicide.   Her life also can be summed-up in six words:  a remarkable loving friend and mother.

I know.  The entire detailed results of her autopsy purposely landed in my hands last week.  For further clarity, it is not unlawful to read and to publicly publish any results of any autopsy – it is an important clause of the Freedom of the Press, written in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Before beginning, the definition of the guaranteed Freedom of the Press is “The right to publish and share information, opinions, and thoughts without censorship or restraint.  The First Amendment’s free press and free speech clauses primarily limit government regulations of the press and private speech, not government regulations of government speech,” wrote the constitution. FindLaw.

It all began with my inquest into answering the question as to “WHY” the Cadaver dogs did not find Miller’s body sooner than it initially was discovered (two years), and ‘WHY” every search avenue was initiated and was utilized, thus obtaining unsuccessful results in trying to locate her body.  The autopsy’s conclusive results did, however, report her manner of death, which will remain undisclosed at the present time in accordance with the wishes of the DeKalb County Sheriff’s office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).

In an earlier interview on January 15, 2025, Sheriff Ray said, “We are not disclosing how the body was found or the cause of death due to the sensitive nature of the investigation.”  Today, only four-months-later, these questions finally can be answered – for Brittany, albeit the cause of death.                                                                                                   

Personally, I would have used this printed newspaper page to alert you to this most important public information.  However, the case is ongoing and I did not want to jeopardize the outcomes nor, inadvertently, damage with words - the feelings and mindsets of her family and friends, especially during this horrific time.

Currently, local Sheriff Patrick Ray issued the following update last Friday, “The case is now with the TBI…I’m going to let them handle it.”

To which Josh Devine of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Media Center explained, “We don’t have much to provide, other than to confirm our investigation remains active and ongoing at this time. Anyone with information about the case can call 1-800-TBI-FIND or email TipsToTBI@tbi.tn.gov.

The now-disclosed answers to many local questions regarding the “box” where Miller’s body was found has been disclosed as a “green metallic sealed chest.”    The chest was placed “in a ravine’ on the property, located at 1723 Man Hill Road in Dowelltown, Tennessee.  This new evidence is now finally being publicly known and published for the citizens of DeKalb and surrounding counties.

In Tennessee, an autopsy is required by law if a death is “suspicious” or requested by family members, etc.

“Reportedly, this 34-year-old female was found deceased inside of a metal storage container by bystanders.  The DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office was notified of the discovery and responded to the scene.  Death was confirmed on scene due to obvious signs of decomposition and mummification.  Investigator Trevis Merriman with the DeKalb County Medical Examiner’s office contacted the Middle-Tennessee Regional Forensic Center and requested an autopsy.  The deceased was transported to the Centers for Forensic Medicine for examination on order to determine her cause and manner of death,” wrote Investigator Hayden Webster on July 11, 2025 at 20:35 hours (8:35 p.m.).

The Report of Investigation by the County Medical Examiner for Forensic Medicine in Nashville, Tennessee (autopsy results) follows:

“An autopsy was performed on January 12, 2025 at 10:01 a.m.”  It vividly stipulated that the manner of death was “Homicide.”   Miller’s cause of death is known but has not been reported. The performing agency was the Centers for Forensic Medicine.  It was performed to determine the cause and the manner of death.  The on-staff performing and leading pathologist was Dr. Christopher P. Gaffre, MD, PhD.  The legal definition of a homicide in Tennessee is “A broad term for an illegal killing of one person by another person, while murder is a specific type of homicide.”

In continuum and within the confines of the autopsy, it lists the name of the deceased as Brittany Ann Miller, and the date of her death as being January 11, 2025 at 4:30 p.m.  The TBI was listed as the Investigating Agency.

Tread lightly.  Gaffee’s pathological diagnosis was “Decomposed remains concealed in a metallic chest in a ravine.”  Please read the above paragraph for more detailed information.

The DeKalb County Medical Examiner was Adele M. Lewis, MD, (Interim) from Judicial District 13 and the District Attorney was the Hon. Bryant C. Dunaway.  The state number is 25-21-0003 with the Case Number being MEC25-0130.  The facts and findings to support these conclusions are filed in the Tennessee Department of Health.  Miller’s autopsy was performed in the presence of Feng Li, MD in Nashville, Tennessee.

The autopsy’s external examination revealed “The remains are received with a green metallic sealed chest.  The remains are those of a well-developed, well-rounded adult, light-skinned female who weighs 120 pounds and is 64 inches in length.”

Another explanation as to why the cadaver dogs did not find Miller’s body was that they cannot smell through a metal container.  It is as the same scenario listed below.

In continuation regarding the summary of this case, the final autopsy finding assessment was made, and read: “This 34-year-old woman was reportedly found concealed within a metal chest within a ravine.”

Miller first was reported missing on July 4, 2022 (more than two-years-ago). Her local residence was 860 Hurricane Ridge Road in Smithville, Tennessee.   Following the required-by-law autopsy, her body was taken to Love-Cantrell Funeral Home in Smithville and was then buried.

As of press time, there have been no arrests made regarding this local homicide case.

In conclusion, for Brittany Ann Brock Miller, life was hard – then. For Brittany Ann Brock Miller, life is hard – now.