LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Police (LMPD) has made an arrest in connection to the body found in the Russell neighborhood earlier this week.
Investigators said officers with the Violent Crime Unit and the Firearms Intelligence Squad arrested 35-year-old Chadwick Fleming after a traffic stop at Dr. W J Hodge and Oak Streets on Friday.
According to court documents, the victim, identified as 34-year-old Mitchell Jackson, Jr., was "wrapped in sheets and zip ties then covered in garbage bags and electrical tape" and tied at his feet to the bumper of an SUV Fleming was driving.
Police said Fleming was captured on surveillance video driving the SUV.
Authorities said his body came loose and fell into the roadway at 18th and Muhammad Ali; Fleming tried to put Jackson's body back in the vehicle, but failed and fled the scene.
Fleming is currently charged with tampering with physical evidence and abuse of a corpse. He has not been charged with murder.
Initially, police reported Jackson had no obvious signs of injuries. LMPD later confirmed he died from multiple gunshot wounds after the medical examiner saw him.
Several social media posts claimed more victims had been found in a similar manner, going so far as to suggest a serial killer was roaming Louisville’s streets.
On Wednesday, LMPD addressed those claims, calling them unfounded.
“LMPD is aware of all the rumors and speculation floating around online,” the department said. “We believe this is an isolated incident and there are no homicides similar in nature.”
Fleming is scheduled to be arraigned at 9 a.m.
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