Sheriff provides update on missing man, escaped inmate – www.elizabethton.com

Sheriff Mike Fraley provided an update Monday on the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Victor Birchfield and the escape of inmate Billy Fletcher from his work detail at the Carter County Detention Center.

“We are continuing our investigation in conjunction with other local and state agencies as well as authorities in other states,” Fraley said. “We believe that at some point after Fletcher's escape, he came into contact with Mr. Birchfield.”

The search for Victor Birchfield, who was reported missing by his family on June 21, continues with the assistance of South Carolina law enforcement. Birchfield, 61, was last seen on June 19 in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and was reportedly traveling in a silver 2004 Toyota 4Runner with visible rear-end damage. He has a medical condition that could affect his ability to return home safely. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued a Silver Alert for Birchfield on June 21.

A confirmed sighting of Birchfield's vehicle in Clemson, South Carolina, prompted a collaboration between the Carter County Sheriff's Office and South Carolina authorities.

Fletcher, 43, of Butler, ran away from work on June 20. The Carter County Sheriff's Office is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to his location and return.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Birchfield or Fletcher is asked to contact the Carter County Sheriff's Office at 423-542-1845 or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-TBI-FIND.