WHITWELL, TN – Authorities have arrested a 56-year-old man accused of concealing and cremating his father’s body in a firepit, following a months-long investigation that began late last year.

Richard Keith Wilder was apprehended last week in connection with the disturbing case, according to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Investigators believe that Wilder hid and attempted to incinerate his father’s remains along Mullins Cove Road, a remote area located near Tennessee’s southern border with Alabama and Georgia.

Officials say detectives received critical information that prompted them to search the secluded property. Accompanied by personnel from the local district attorney’s office and the neighboring Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office, they discovered human remains in a firepit on the grounds. The remains were collected and transported to the Medical Examiner’s Office in Nashville for positive identification.

Preliminary results from the medical examiner are expected in the coming days, which may provide more clarity on the victim’s identity and the circumstances surrounding his death. At present, law enforcement has not disclosed how the elder Wilder died, stating that further details may remain confidential due to the ongoing investigation.

The arrest took place at Wilder’s residence in Whitwell on August 14, with support from the 12th Judicial District Drug and Violent Crime Task Force. Wilder faces a single count of abuse of a corpse, classified as a Class E felony in Tennessee. If convicted, he could face up to six years in prison and a fine up to $3,000.

Marion County Sheriff Ronnie Burnett said the investigation began after the death of Wilder’s father in December of last year. Authorities allege that Wilder transported his father’s body to Mullins Cove, where he attempted to destroy the remains with fire.

Wilder’s home in Whitwell lies approximately 20 miles north of the scene where the remains were found. Following his arrest, Wilder was booked into the Marion County Justice Center and is scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on August 20.

Authorities have indicated that the case remains under active investigation and additional information may be withheld for now. The outcome of the autopsy could play a vital role in determining whether further charges will be filed.

Law enforcement officials from multiple jurisdictions collaborated on the search and recovery efforts, underscoring the seriousness and complexity of the investigation. The case has drawn attention in the quiet rural community, as authorities work to piece together the events leading up to the discovery.

No further arrests have been made, and officials say there is no ongoing threat to public safety as the inquiry continues.