NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A man was arrested and charged with the kidnapping, rape and murder of a Rutherford County woman in Feb. of last year.
Katelyn Ervin, 26 was reported missing by her family then found dead six days later in a remote area of the county.
According to officials, Ervin was home when 38-year-old Ellis Lee Bell III broke in. He stole guns and other items and also abducted Ervin.
“Ellis Bell drove the victim to a remote location where he shot her and left her for dead,” said lead Detective Sgt. Steve Craig.
Bell was arrested on state and federal charges after allegedly taking Ervin. He remains in custody on federal charges at Grayson County Detention Center in Leitchfield, Ky.
The investigation was lengthy and involved many interviews and different resources.
“Since Bell had been in jail since the date of the murder, time was the one thing we had on our side,” Craig said. “We were able to use that time to secure a very good amount of information and facts regarding what took place that day.”
After the lengthy investigation, a Grand Jury indicted 38-year-old Ellis Lee Bell III of Nashville on several charges: first-degree murder, felony murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, aggravated rape, especially aggravated robbery, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, possession of a weapon during a dangerous felony, employment of a weapon during a dangerous felony, aggravated burglary and attempted aggravated burglary.
Bell was notified of his charges Friday in Circuit Court. His next court date is March 18.
