A days-long manhunt for a Tennessee man accused of attempting to murder his wife ended Wednesday when authorities discovered him dead in the woods, according to the Stewart County Sheriff's Office.
Craig Berry, an Army Special Forces veteran, was found by Stewart County Sheriff's Office SWAT members and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation agents during a search Wednesday. He died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Berry had been sought since May 1, when he allegedly shot his wife, according to the U.S. Marshals Service. Authorities had secured warrants for second-degree attempted murder.
Investigators described Berry as highly trained in survival tactics, an experienced swimmer and diver, armed with at least one handgun, and possibly dressed in camouflage. A reward of up to $5,000 had been offered.
Multi-Agency Effort
The search, which stretched across rugged terrain in Stewart County, involved a multi-agency effort that grew more complex with each passing day. From the night of May 1, deputies combed an area stretching from Gray's Landing to Highway 232 and River Trace Road, working alongside the Tennessee Highway Patrol, Homeland Security, and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).Authorities warned residents to stay vigilant. "Berry is very familiar with the area — he's a retired military Special Forces veteran wearing camouflage clothing and he remains armed and dangerous," Sheriff Gray said. Residents were urged to lock their doors and report any suspicious activity to 911.
By May 2, investigators had scaled back the woodland search, acknowledging uncertainty about whether Berry was still in the area. Officials asked locals to review trail camera footage and noted that Berry may have received outside assistance.
"Sheriff Gray stated that this could be a lengthy process in apprehending Berry," the office said.
By May 4, K-9 units had tracked Berry's movements to River Trace Road, and a planned large-scale search was set to cover the corridor from that road to Highway 79 and portions of Highway 232. A trail camera photograph confirmed Berry appeared to be wearing camouflage. Officials noted he was believed to be without a phone or any other means of communication, making tracking him even more difficult.
The U.S. Marshals Service joined the search and, on May 5, publicly named Berry as a major fugitive case, posting his wanted information on Instagram and offering a reward of up to $5,000 for information leading to his capture. The agency described Berry as armed and dangerous, with extensive military training.
The manhunt ended Wednesday when the SWAT team and TBI agents located Berry's body. The Stewart County Sheriff's Office said initial indications pointed to a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The office directed any further inquiries to the U.S. Marshals Service.
Berry's alleged victim, his wife, was not publicly identified. Her condition was not disclosed in any of the official statements. NTD News has contacted the marshals service for more information.