A Tennessee Man Killed His 65-Year-Old Father. Then, He Cut Up the Body and Left the Remains in the Woods.

A man in Tennessee pleaded guilty to killing his father and leaving the victim’s remains in the woods, officials announced.

In early May 2022, human remains were found in the woods in Tellico Plains, Tennessee, according to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. An autopsy confirmed the victim as John Henry Ball, 65.

Police identified his son, John Scott Ball, 47, as a suspect in the killing.

During the investigation, officials determined John Scott Ball shot his father, cut up the corpse in Polk County and then tried to bury the body parts in the mountains in Monroe County.

A hiker then found the remains in the Tellico Plains area.

John Scott Ball was arrested in May 2022 and charged with first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse. He has been held in the Polk County Jail without bond.

On Jan. 22, 2024, John Scott Ball pleaded guilty to the murder of his father and he was sentenced to life in prison.

In a statement to Chattanoogan.com, District Attorney Shari Tayloe said, “Securing a life sentence for such a gruesome crime can only happen with the diligence and teamwork of our local law enforcement agencies. I am proud to partner with them."