Nashville, Tennessee (WZTV) — The suspect accused of murdering a woman found dead in Hermitage, Tennessee, has been identified after committing suicide following a shootout with Georgia police.
Robert E. Smith Jr., 35, of Cookeville, Tennessee, is accused of killing Cassidy Jackson, 23, this month, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. Jackson was found on Rachels Lane with head trauma on Friday, April 11. Her family in Putnam County filed a missing person report shortly after.
Jackson’s vehicle was discovered in Atlanta, Georgia earlier this week, marking the first apparent breakthrough in the investigation. Smith eventually became a suspect during the investigation, but warrants had not yet been obtained.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) reported Smith shooting at local police officers and deputies in Calhoun, Georgia, on Thursday following a pursuit. He then crashed his vehicle, and law enforcement discovered a self-inflicted wound.
Smith has been linked to Jackson’s murder and other Nashville incidents, according to evidence gathered in Georgia.
Locally, he was wanted on eight counts of aggravated assault, one count of especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated stalking, domestic assault, harassment, and vandalism, all of which stemmed from separate cases earlier this month.
The GBI continues to investigate Smith’s death. There are no additional details available to the public at this time.
