Holly Bobo was last seen alive in April 2011, and then she disappeared.
Ever since, her family and friends have hoped against hope that Holly was alive and safe somewhere, but now their worst fears have been realized.
Zachary Adams, 29, has been indicted and charged with her kidnapping and murder. A grand jury in Decatur County has handed down an indictment for especially aggravated kidnapping and first-degree murder. Adams is being held without bond.
Mark Gwyn, director of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, said, “As this investigation continues, we are still asking for the public’s help and support to help us continue to seek out justice regarding the disappearance of Holly Bobo.”
He refused to comment on whether a body or other human remains had been located, citing the fact that the investigation was still continuing. Multiple search warrants have been issued, including one for Adams’ home.
Holly Bobo was 20 years old when she vanished. Her brother claimed to have seen a man dressed in camouflage fatigues accompanying her near their home in Darden, and notified the authorities.
Hundreds of volunteers scoured the countryside searching for her, or for some clues as to what may have happened to her.
The disappearance of Holly Bobo devastated the rural communities of Decatur and the surrounding counties. Memorial services were held, and support group sprang up, including some which used social media sites such as Facebook to express their anguish and feelings.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and federal authorities have spent hundreds of manpower hours on the case, according to Gwyn. More than $450,000 has been offered in reward money.
Adams is due to appear in court on Tuesday; prosecutors are deciding whether they will seek the death penalty
Adams was already in jail on a $1 million bond in connection with an unrelated aggravated assault charge. He was arrested recently at his girlfriend’s home in Benton County on other unconnected charges involving drugs. He is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday to answer this charge, and on March 10 in Decatur County Court on the other charge.
Referring to the Bobo family, Mark Gwyn said, “Obviously, they’re devastated. They’ve been devastated for three years. But, hopefully, this is the beginning of closure for the Bobo family, and they deserve that.”