Arrest Made in 'Very Rare' Murder of Nashville Nurse

Suspect was picked up on drug charge days ago
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 9, 2017 7:11 AM CST
Arrest Made in Random Murder of Nashville Nurse
Christopher Drew McLawhorn.   (Metro Nashville Police Department)

An arrest has been made in what police called the "very rare, random" murder of a nurse in Nashville last week. Police announced Wednesday night that Christopher Drew McLawhorn, 24, had been charged with criminal homicide and especially aggravated burglary in the death of Tiffany Ferguson, WHNT reports. Police believed McLawhorn stabbed the 22-year-old nurse to death after breaking into her condo early on Feb. 28, reports the Tennessean. He is believed to be the man captured on surveillance footage walking around Ferguson's building searching for open doors or vehicles.

Police say McLawhorn was already a person of interest in the murder investigation when he was found with a small amount of marijuana early Sunday. He was arrested for drug possession and has been in jail since. Police say McLawhorn, who is homeless, has an arrest record that includes public intoxication and minor theft charges. Ferguson, a nurse at Saint Thomas West Hospital, was a "beloved member of the community" and her murder "truly shook this community," Councilman Colby Sledge told reporters Wednesday night. "I think tonight, hopefully everyone can rest a little bit easier." (More Tennessee stories.)

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