Mum drowned to death while handcuffed after police car drove into river

19 February 2024 , 12:24

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Mum drowned to death while handcuffed after police car drove into river

A mum-of-two who died after being driven into a river by a police officer was found handcuffed in the backseat and left unable to escape, according to authorities.

The Knox County Forensics Centre has identified Tabitha Smith, 35, as the victim who was found in the back of a patrol car after Deputy Robert “RJ” Leonard accidentally drove into the Tennessee River on Wednesday evening.

Lenoard had arrested her near the Highway 60 bridge amid reports of a fight at around 10pm local time and took her into custody. He made a call to his dispatch saying he was driving her to the county jail. But ten minutes later, communication broke down with the office and he failed to respond to a status check.

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Tabitha Smith was tragically handcuffed in the submerged car (WVLT)

And moments later during a chilling last radio call, Leonard said 'water,' a word that authorities had to use 'special techniques' to decipher.

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The car crashed into the water and a huge search operation was underway to find the two bodies after Deputy Leonard, who had moved to the area from New York in the last year, failed to realise the danger that stretches of road posed, according to District Attorney Russell Johnson. Leonard’s body was not inside the car, but Smith’s body was in the back seat unable to free herself.

Deputy Robert “RJ” Leonard accidentally drove into the Tennessee River on Wednesday evening (WVLT)

Mr Johnson said in a statement: "The person found in the backseat compartment area of deputy’s vehicle was covered in a deep layer of mud and silt. When the body was transported, it was apparent that it was a female, and that she was handcuffed. So she was in custody as was speculated from the Deputy Leonard’s calls to dispatch."

Upon finding the car, Johnson said the driver’s side window was open. “It’s a hard time for us here,” one sheriff’s office representative said during a press conference. “Something we don’t ever deal with in Meigs County. We’re a small, rural county here. Deputy Leonard had only been here a few months, but he had become part of this family.”

Police recovered the two bodies (WVLT)

Friends and family have paid tribute to Tabitha following her tragic death. “She was a happy person, outgoing, she loved life,” said her friend Sheena Mchome. Tabitha, known as "Tabby", to her friends leaves behind her husband and her two children. “I could not imagine being trapped and knowing my life was going to end,” said Mchome.

Heartbroken friend Emilie Neusel said she "had a heart of gold, and despite any struggles and troubles she had, she was a great person."

The crash is still under investigation, according to authorities.

Liam Buckler