Former UTC Wrestler Implicated in Prostitute Murder

A former U-T-C wrestler has surrendered to police in connection with four shooting deaths in his home state of Oklahoma. David Tyner was a standout wrestler with the Mocs in 2001 and is described as an aggressive guy.

Ben Smith, a former teammate says Tyner came to UTC as a standout wrestler who wore his emotions on his sleeve. Now Smith says Tyner getting in a fight wouldn't surprise him, but being connected with multiple murders stunned him.

"I just remember him being really exuberant and then almost like a scolded puppy at times," said Smith.

In 2001, Tyner won his 197-pound weight class in the Southern Conference tournament. But his grades dropped and he was only at UTC for his freshman year.

"He was one of those one hit wonders," said Smith. "He came in and won a SoCon title, and then was gone."

Smith was one year ahead of Tyner and is now the assistant wrestling coach for Bradley Central. He was floored when he found out Tyner had been named a murder suspect in the shooting death of four people.their bodies found in a burning home near Oklahoma City. Brooke Phillips was one of two prostitutes found in the home. Both worked at a brothel near Carson City, Nevada and were pregnant. Phillips had been featured in HBO's series "Cathouse." Although Smith didn't run in the same circles as Tyner.he remembered the Oklahoma native liked to blow it out from time to time.

"If you were around Tyner long and his crew, they were going to have a good time," Smith said.

After his one year at UTC, Tyner joined the Marines. Next he became a cage fighter and had a 6-1 record as a mixed martial artist. In this investigation, police do not believe he acted alone.

Meanwhile, Smith says Tyner was the kind of guy who would not back down from a fight, but this stuns him.

Ben Smith went on to stress Tyner's connection to these Oklahoma murders should not be a reflection on UTC's wrestling program or the coaches who recruited this talented wrestler. At the latest check, Tyner turned himself in but no word of any charges,