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Police: Todd Staats' Body Was Intentionally Weighted Down

Police: Body Found In Tennessee Creek Was Intentionally Weighted Down
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By 

Senior Crime Reporter, HuffPost

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Authorities in Tennessee have identified a man who was found dead in a creek two weeks ago and was intentionally weighted down. Now they are trying to determine just how the body got there.

According to the Chattanooga Police Department, the victim is 48-year-old Todd Staats of Chattanooga. Staats body was found along the bank of the South Chickamauga Creek on August 21, by two people who were kayaking near Shallowford Road overpass.

Upon removing the body from the water, authorities discovered Staats had weights attached to his belt. A backpack he wore was also found to be full of weights. According to Chattanooga Police, the weights were not enough to keep the body, which was heavily bloated at the time of discovery, underwater.

The Hamilton County Medical Examiner's Office is still trying to determine a timeline and cause of death. Authorities say it is too soon to tell whether Staats committed suicide or was the victim of foul play.

TODD STAATS CASE PHOTOS (ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW)

Todd Staats Case(01 of05)
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The backpack Todd Staats was wearing when he was pulled from the South Chickamauga Creek on August 21. (credit:Chattanooga Police Department)
Todd Staats Case(02 of05)
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The backpack Todd Staats was wearing when he was pulled from the South Chickamauga Creek on August 21. (credit:Chattanooga Police Department)
Todd Staats Case(03 of05)
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The pants Todd Staats was wearing when he was pulled from the South Chickamauga Creek on August 21. (credit:Chattanooga Police Department)
Todd Staats Case(04 of05)
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The belt Todd Staats was wearing when he was pulled from the South Chickamauga Creek on August 21. (credit:Chattanooga Police Department)
Todd Staats Case(05 of05)
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The shoes Todd Staats was wearing when he was pulled from the South Chickamauga Creek on August 21. (credit:Chattanooga Police Department)

Anyone with information about Staats’ death is asked to contact the Chattanooga Police Department at 423-643-5000.

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