UPDATE: Man faces murder charge after woman's body found in Athens church fire

From Local 3 News: UPDATE: The TBI says an arrest has been made in the homicide of Linda Buchanan and St. Mark AME Zion Church fire.

Kyle Hickox is charged with Second Degree Murder.

Autopsy results found Buchanen died before the church fire. According to the TBI, evidence led investigators to Hickox as the suspect.

Agents arrested Hickox Friday and booked him into the McMinn County jail where he's being held on a $600,000 bond.

The TBI says there may be additional charges as the investigation continues.

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PREVIOUS STORY: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has released the name of the person who was found dead inside an Athens church that was destroyed by fire last week.

The TBI says 59-year-old Linda Buchanan was found in St. Mark AME Zion Church following a fire that broke out Thursday night.

Buchanan was the only person found in the church and no other injuries were reported.

Athens Mayor Steven Sherlin said the fire a the back of the building and spread quickly.

Sherlin said fire crews from several agencies were able to put out the fire in about six hours.

The cause remains unknown and under investigation.

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PREVIOUS STORY: The Athens City Mayor, Steven Sherlin, says the church is a total loss.

It took about six hours for firefighters to get the fire under control because it spread so fast.

Mayor Sherwin says the outside of the building around back caught fire first.

One person died but there are no other known injuries.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

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PREVIOUS STORY: Athens City Mayor Steven Sherlin confirms one fatality is under investigation in connection to the fire at St. Mark AME Zion Church in Athens, TN, on Thursday night.
 
This is a developing story and will be updated.

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"We grieve the loss of the historic St. Mark Church, we remember its importance as the last vestige of the Free Hill Community. This beloved institution was not just a place of worship; it was a cornerstone of our community, representing our shared values, traditions, and connections.

In this time of sorrow, let us extend our heartfelt prayers to all those affected by this tragic loss. May we find strength in our unity and support one another as we navigate this difficult period. Together, let us honor the memories made within those walls and strive to carry forward the spirit of community that St. Mark Church embodied.

We will hold its legacy close to our hearts and work towards creating spaces where joy, love, and faith can continue to flourish for generations to come."

McMinn County Mayor John Gentry also made a statement on the fire:
"We are praying for the congregation of St. Mark AME Zion Church tonight. We mourn with them during this loss. But since we know that a building is not what actually makes a church, I have faith that this group of Christ followers will arise even stronger. And our community will be there to walk with them along the way."

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PREVIOUS STORY: Firefighters fought a large church fire Thursday night at St. Mark AME Zion Church in Athens, TN, according to the Tri-State Mutual Aid Association.

Several agencies including Englewood, Bradley County, and Cleveland worked together to help put out the large fire.