The woman whose body was found in the back seat of a Meigs County deputy’s patrol vehicle has been identified as 35-year-old Tabitha Smith, a wife and mother of an 8-year-old son and 6-year-old daughter.
Officials have confirmed that her body was found handcuffed, which is routine when a person has been arrested and is being taken to jail.
Smith was arrested after Meigs County Deputy Robert “RJ” Leonard responded to a disturbance call Wednesday night on Highway 60 at a bridge near the Birchwood Community.
Officials believe that Deputy Leonard took a wrong turn and drove into the river. The vehicle was pulled from the river Thursday.
Deputy Leonard’s body was found in the river outside of the vehicle. Deputy Leonard was 35 and according to his obituary he leaves behind a wife and 5 children.