Human Remains Identified; Skeleton Found

Robbins, TN (2011-10-25) Human remains discovered on the lawn of a Robbins residence have been positively identified. The dog that initially discovered the remains has attacked a Sheriff’s Department Detective and has been euthanized. Authorities have recovered the rest of the victim’s skeletal remains.

According to the Scott County Sheriff’s Department, the bones found at 3074 Mountain View Road in the Robbins community on October 17, 2011 have been positively identified. The Sheriff’s Department, along with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the University of Tennessee Forensic Center, say the remains are those of David Alexander Claxton, 24, of the Robbins Community. After more than week of searching, authorities found the rest of Claxton’s remains Tuesday afternoon near the site of the initial discovery.

On Monday, Detective Randy Lewallen went to the Robbins residence where the remains were first discovered to talk with the homeowners, when he noticed what appeared to be another human bone on the lawn. When Detective Lewallen attempted to retrieve the bone, which was in the possession of a pit bull, the dog reportedly attacked the officer, resulting in lacerations to his torso and hand. The dog, which was the same animal that had earlier retrieved pieces of Claxton’s skeletal remains from the nearby woods, was euthanized at the scene.

Upon discovery of the new remains, officers conducted another search of the area, but didn’t find anything new.

On Monday, October 17, 2011, a Robbins resident notified authorities of the discovery of what appeared to be human bones in his yard. Upon arrival, the Sheriff’s Department discovered pieces of a human skeleton. Last Tuesday, authorities utilized cadaver dogs to scour the landscape near the residence for additional remains, but were unsuccessful. Authorities returned on Wednesday with additional manpower from the South Scott Volunteer Fire Department and conducted another search. On Friday, authorities, the local fire department, and Scott County Rescue Squad, utilizing cadaver dogs, conducted another exhaustive search of the area, but again, no additional remains were found.

Tuesday afternoon, armed with the new discovery and a renewed determination to find the rest of Claxton’s remains, authorities returned to the scene and located most of his skeleton. “We believe it’s his original resting place,” commented Cross.

The rest of Claxton’s remains have been sent to the U.T. Forensic Center for examination.

According to authorities, no missing persons report had been filed on Claxton prior to the discovery of the remains on October 17, 2011.

The Scott County Sheriff’s Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation continues to investigate Claxton’s disappearance and the discovery of his remains.

Anyone with information regarding the case should contact Detective Tommy Silcox at the Scott County Sheriff’s Department at (423) 663-3111.