Son arrested, accused of slaying mom

Dec. 7– A local man is under arrest this morning, accused of killing his mother last night, according to Savannah Police Chief Donald Derr.

He said a charge of first degree murder is expected to be filed against 23-year-old Michael Keith Mitchell. The suspect’s mother, Carylon Chelette, 55, was found dead at their 112 Austin St. residence.

Police dispatched at 6 p.m. to the scene at Apartment B-7 determined a homicide had occurred and developed Mitchell as a suspect, Derr said.

City officers, along with officers with the Hardin County Sheriff’s Department, Tennessee Highway Patrol and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation were involved in a three-hour manhunt which culminated at the Subway restaurant in the Walmart Supercenter in Savannah.

Derr said a THP helicopter and a dog team from the Hardin County Fire Department were used in the search, along with Savannah Fire Department personnel equipped with thermal imaging equipment.

Word of the incident spread quickly across the city and authorities received numerous tips as to the possible whereabouts of the alleged killer.

The chief said a call from a Walmart employee led to Mitchell’s arrest without incident by Savannah police at 9 p.m. at the Subway.

Citing the ongoing investigation, Derr declined to comment on reports the victim’s throat had been cut or what Mitchell was doing at the restaurant.