Stacie Lynn Brugger, 21, was found dead at Nolichucky Gorge Campground in Unicoi County in early February 2022. Described by family as creative and kind, she worked at the ACT Call Center in Kingsport and was a daughter, sister and aunt whose unexpected death devastated her community.

Investigators focused on 29-year-old Tyler Owens, with whom Brugger had been staying. Owens told police the shooting was accidental, saying an argument led to Brugger grabbing his gun, loading it, and holding it to her own head before it discharged. The sheriff’s office reported Owens confessed to the shooting. He was arrested on charges including second-degree murder, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse and evading arrest.

Family members said Owens’s behavior after her death — wrapping her body in a tent, placing it in the trunk of her car, texting her phone and going out with friends — contradicted remorse. Owens told investigators he did not call 911 because of outstanding warrants in North Carolina. The trial record includes a lengthy audio of his police interview.

Did anyone in the Erwin or Unicoi County area know Stacie or see her in the days before she disappeared?