Fire Set to Coverup Suicide

ERWIN, Tenn. (AP) - Unicoi County Sheriff Kent Harris says fire that destroyed a Bumpass Cove home was set to cover up the suicide of the owner.

Harris said on Friday an autopsy on the body of 61-year-old Walker Scott Brank showed a gunshot wound to his head and minimal inhalation of smoke.

Investigators said Brank - who Harris said had talked about suicide with family members - set the fire in his bedroom on Tuesday, then shot himself. His 9 mm pistol was found near his body and a round had been fired.

Harris said Brank had put two beloved dogs outside before the fire was started.

He said Brank was a military veteran who had been diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder.