David Riemens' remains found in 2018 after disappearance. But Watertown case a mystery
Editor's note: This story is one of 11 Middle Tennessee cold cases profiled by The Tennessean. There are hundreds across the region, their families waiting for justice that may never come. Find more cases featured here.
Remains of the popular stone mason, artist and Hobbit house builder David Riemens who lived off the grid were found in 2018, but the case is still unsolved.
David Riemens lived off the grid in a treehouse for years in the Watertown area, but he wasn't a recluse.
Known around town as a talented artist, stone mason and Hobbit house builder, Riemens often visited the library and local merchants, friends Laura and Donny Nuessle said.
The 60-year-old was reported missing on Aug. 8, 2012. And while Riemens had a transient lifestyle and was planning a trip to visit family in Michigan just before his disappearance, finding his truck at a nearby store quickly cast suspicion.
"You start to think the worst,' then Wilson County Sheriff Terry Ashe said.
In January 2018, a human skull was found off Taylor Road near Sparta Pike close to Watertown. That led to more human remains, later determined to belong to Riemens.
Investigators have spoken with several people, though Wilson County Sheriff's Office Det. Major B.J. Stafford said, 'I would not classify anyone interviewed as a person of interest.'
Solving the case 'would mean so much to Donny and I and so many friends here in Watertown,' Laura Nuessle said.
Stafford still encourages anyone with information to submit a lead or information by visiting the Wilson County Sheriff's Office website and clicking on 'Crime Stoppers Tip.'
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Wilson County's David Riemens missing in 2012, remains later found
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Man found guilty of second-degree murder of teenager outside East Nashville church in 2022
Joe De Leon, 24, was convicted of second-degree premeditated murder for an East Nashville shooting in 2022, according to the Davidson County District Attorney's Office. De Leon was also convicted of first-degree felony murder and possession of a firearm by a felon, the DA's office said. His trial began May 19 and lasted two days, according to online court records. Police said De Leon got into an altercation with 19-year-old Antonio Rudolfo in the parking lot of a church in the 200 block of Gatewood Avenue on Nov. 25, 2022. After they spoke for several minutes, De Leon shot and killed Rudolfo, police said. Police on Dec. 9 identified De Leon and put out a plea to the public for assistance finding him. When he was apprehended in May 2023, he was found in a stolen Lexus that had drugs and a loaded pistol inside, police said. He was charged with seven more offenses that he has not been tried for yet, according to online court records. For the group of offenses related to the killing of Rudolfo, De Leon was charged with first-degree premeditated murder but was convicted at the trial this month on the lesser charge of second-degree premeditated murder. He was also charged with carjacking in the Rudolfo-related offenses, but that charge was dropped, according to the DA's office. More: Jury convicts 72-year-old Ronnie Phillips of killing girlfriend's aunt in Donelson in 2022 Have questions about the justice system? Evan Mealins is the justice reporter for The Tennessean. Contact him with questions, tips or story ideas at emealins@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Joe De Leon guilty of killing teen near East Nashville church in 2022
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Yahoo
TN Gov. Lee signs 'Savanna's Law,' creates statewide domestic violence offender registry
Three years after the death of a young sheriff's deputy, Tennessee legislators have enacted a new law in her honor creating a public registry to track repeat domestic violence offenders. Gov. Bill Lee signed House Bill 1200, known as "Savanna's Law," on May 21, 2025. The bill is named in honor of Robertson County Sheriff's Deputy Savanna Puckett, who was found shot to death inside her burning home on Jan. 23, 2022. Puckett, 22, died at the hands of her ex-boyfriend James Jackson Conn, who pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder, among other charges, and is serving a life sentence. More: Named for slain Tennessee deputy, bill would create domestic violence offender registry The newly enacted law will go on to create a registry at the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for people convicted of a second and subsequent domestic violence offense and make offender information publicly available online beginning next year. As previously reported by The Tennessean, Tennessee state Rep. Sabi "Doc" Kumar of Robertson County introduced House Bill 1200 to strengthen domestic violence protections statewide. "Savanna's Law provides a critical step toward protecting future victims and holding repeat domestic violence offenders accountable,' Kumar said in previously prepared statements. 'The registry will give communities the tools they need to stay informed and safe." The Robertson County Sheriff's Office did not respond to The Tennessean's request for comments before the publishing of this story. According to the Tennessee General Assembly, the bill applies to individuals with a domestic offense committed on or after Jan. 1, 2026, with at least one prior. A prior conviction is not required to have occurred on or after that date. 'Individuals with a domestic offense (not confined to domestic assault) after January 1, and who have a prior domestic offense (can be before January 1) are supposed to be ordered onto the registry by the court,' a representative of the TBI said. Domestic offenses include assault, sexual assault, stalking and murder, among other offenses. Court clerks will be required to send certified copies of any offender convictions that meet the criteria for the new registry to the bureau within seven days of conviction. Currently, state officials don't know how many people may be required to register next year. Officials estimate at least 1,838 offenders will be required to register in the first year based on data from the Administrative Office of the Courts and Department of Correction Jail Summary Reports, according to the March 25 fiscal memorandum. How did they arrive at that number? The data shows an average of 4,594 domestic offense convictions have occurred each year for the last five years, though it's unknown how many of these convictions were for second or subsequent offenses. The Tennessee General Assembly Fiscal Review Committee assumes it's about 40% of convictions. 'There may also be an additional unknown number of offenders for second convictions of other relevant offenses that are not captured in this data, but this is assumed to capture the large majority of the relevant offenders,' state officials said. That led them to the roughly 1,800 offenders they believe will be required to register in 2026. But it may take a few months for the registry to fill out, as cases proceed through the courts and await convictions. 'It is not known precisely how long it will take for convictions to occur for offenses committed on and after January 1, 2026. It is assumed the first convictions will begin to occur three months later, or on April 1, 2026,' state officials said. Officials assume offenders will begin paying registration fees that day. Individuals who fall under the new law will be legally required to include the following information: Name Date of birth Conviction date County or counties of convictions Current photograph of the offender Information that will not be available to the public incudes addresses, social security numbers, driver license numbers or any other state or federal identification number. Along with the creation of this new registry, four new positions will also be created within the TBI to maintain it including one staff attorney, two intelligence analysts and one accounting technician. The TBI says all four positions, including salary and benefits, will cost the state $407,625 each year. Here's a breakdown of the salary and benefits for each position: Attorney: $162,990 Intelligence Analysts (2): $173,816 Accounting Technician: $70,819 State officials say the new positions will begin on Jan. 1. Other expenses related to these new positions are expected such as equipment, supplies, communication, training and professional services estimated at $50,073. That figure does not include a recurring $35,000 TBI officials estimate it will cost each year for registry maintenance and support. Another $250,000 will be needed to build and store the registry. TBI officials estimate a $150,000 cost to contract with a vendor to build the registry, and $100,000 will be needed for additional storage and processing capacity, according to the document. On April 16, the Tennessee House of Representatives passed the bill with an amendment. That amendment did two things. It changed who would receive registration fees for the registry and when offenders could be taken off the registry. The bill previously outlined a $150 registration fee partially retained by the court clerk and TBI. Clerks would retain $50 for administrative costs, while TBI would retain the remaining $100 to maintain the registry, The Tennessean previously reported. However, the amendment now requires the department of finance and administration's office of criminal justice programs receive the remaining $100 for the administration of grants to fund family violence prevention and intervention services. Offenders are not required to pay recurring annual fees. The amendment also replaced the bill's schedule for removing identifying information about a persistent domestic violence offender from the registry. Individuals may remove identifying information from the registry under the following circumstances: Five years after the date of the most recent conviction if the defendant has one prior conviction for domestic assault. Seven years after the date of the most recent conviction if the defendant has two prior convictions for domestic assault. 10 years after the date of the most recent conviction if the defendant has three prior convictions for domestic assault. 20 years after the date of the most recent conviction if the defendant has four or more prior convictions for domestic assault. Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@ This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee creates statewide domestic violence offender registry
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Second suspect in 2024 Nashville homicide arrested in North Carolina on May 30
A Nashville murder suspect wanted in connection with a November 2024 robbery-turned-fatal shooting at a South Nashville Park was arrested in North Carolina on May 30. Now 18, the suspect was 17 at the time of the shooting. Police said the teen girl killed Mohamed Keita and was arrested by authorities in Hampstead, North Carolina. Police said criminal homicide charges are pending in juvenile court. A second suspect, a now 18-year-old Clarksville woman who was also 17 at the time of the shooting, was previously arrested March 6 after admitting to police she set up and participated in the robbery of Keita that turned fatal. The Tennessean is not naming either suspect as they are charged in juvenile court. Mohamed Keita, 23, of Riverdale, Georgia, was found dead in the driver's seat of his car, backed into a parking space in the lot at William Pitts Park on Dec. 1. Police said they believe Keita was shot the night before. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Second teen girl arrested in connection with 2024 Nashville homicide
