News Summary
Christopher James Havrilla, 51, from Alabama, has been indicted on multiple charges, including first-degree murder, related to the disappearance of Bristol resident Cody Scott Matney, missing since April 2002. Following new evidence, Havrilla faces serious charges, including especially aggravated kidnapping and tampering with evidence. Currently held on a $1 million bond, he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The investigation into Matney’s case continues with local law enforcement urging residents to share any relevant information.
BRISTOL, TN
Christopher James Havrilla, a 51-year-old man from Alabama, has been indicted on multiple charges related to the murder of Bristol resident Cody Scott Matney, who went missing in April 2002. The indictment comes following new information that has emerged during the ongoing investigation.
Earlier this year, Havrilla was arrested in Orange Beach, Alabama, and subsequently extradited to Tennessee, where he was booked into the Sullivan County Jail. In March, he was initially indicted for the murder of Matney, but a review of the case led to a superseding indictment with more serious charges.
The new charges against Havrilla include:
- One count of First Degree Murder
- One count of First Degree Murder in Perpetration of Kidnapping
- One count of Especially Aggravated Kidnapping
- One count of Tampering with Evidence
- One count of Abuse of a Corpse
- Two counts of False Report
Havrilla was arraigned on these charges last week and is currently being held in the Sullivan County Jail on a $1 million bond. If he is able to post bail, he must wear an ankle monitor as a condition of his release.
The investigation into Matney’s disappearance has seen extensive collaboration between several law enforcement agencies, including the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the Bristol Police Department, the 2nd Judicial District Attorney General’s Office, and the Virginia State Police. Officials continue to pursue leads and believe that there may be additional individuals in the Bristol, TN, and Bristol, VA, areas who possess relevant information regarding the case.
Residents are encouraged to share any information they may have by reaching out to the Bristol, Tennessee Police Department at 423-968-1426 or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation toll-free at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
It is important to note that the charges against Havrilla are allegations of criminal conduct. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
The investigation into the 2002 disappearance of Cody Matney has persisted over the years, with authorities dedicating resources to uncover the truth behind his mysterious vanishing. Matney was a 24-year-old man who was reported missing on a business premises along West State Street in Bristol. The case remained open until recent developments prompted a renewed inquiry that ultimately led to Havrilla’s arrest.
As the case progresses, local law enforcement is keen to ensure that justice is served for Cody Matney and offers reassurance to the community that they remain committed to herding out the truth.
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Additional Resources
- WCYB News
- Wikipedia: Cody Scott Matney Case
- MyWabashValley News
- Google Search: Sullivan County Murder Case
- WISH TV News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Sullivan County Inmate Death
- WJHL News
- Google News: Sullivan County Murder Footage Deleted
- WBIW News
- Google Scholar: Lowell Badger Murder Trial
