Payton Nations Arrested for Double Homicide in Overton County
RICKMAN, TN – A 27-year-old Cookeville man has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder following a deadly domestic-related incident Sunday morning in Overton County.
Authorities say Payton Nations is suspected in the killings of Christina Hawkins, 43, and her son, Isaiah Hawkins, 25, who were found dead in the Rickman area, which commonly uses Cookeville postal addresses.
After an hours-long manhunt spanning DeKalb and Putnam counties, Nations was taken into custody by the DeKalb County Sheriff’s Office. A photo of his arrest was released by the department Sunday evening.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) is leading the investigation and confirmed the identities of the victims. While specific details about the incident have not been released, officials say the case is considered domestic in nature.
Nations is being held pending formal charges and arraignment.
