Latest news with #LisaMarchesoni
Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Straits Times
Runaway zebra recaptured in US' Tennessee County
A runaway zebra is airlifted by helicopter back to its owner following its capture after a week on the loose, in Rutherford County, Tennessee, US on June 8, 2025. PHOTO: REUTERS RUTHERFORD COUNTY, Tennessee - The search for a runaway pet zebra that had evaded capture for nearly a week in Rutherford County, Tennessee, came to an end. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, which had been searching for the animal that residents named Ed, said in a statement on June 8 that the zebra had been recaptured and returned to its owner. In a video the sheriff's office posted on Facebook, the zebra's head and legs can be seen dangling from inside a net as it spun in the sky while being airlifted by a yellow helicopter. Authorities said that the intrepid zebra was found in a pasture near Interstate 24. The owner of the zebra – whose identity has not been released – got the animal May 30 and had it for less than a day before it escaped the next morning, the sheriff's office said in an earlier statement. How the zebra escaped or why the man owned it was still not immediately clear, but dispatchers received a report May 31 that a zebra had been spotted darting in traffic on Interstate 24. 'This is the first zebra to escape in Rutherford County as far as I know in the 43 years I lived here,' Ms Lisa Marchesoni, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, said on June 8. The zebra had escaped into a wooded area and disappeared until being spotted on June 5, authorities said. On June 6, a police drone spotted the zebra dashing through a field near Christiana, a community about 40 miles (64km) south of Nashville. Drivers on Interstate 24 also saw him scamper across east and westbound lanes on June 7, the sheriff's office said. On the morning of June 8, deputies worked with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to find the zebra, though it was not immediately clear how authorities captured it. With several sightings of the zebra in the area, social media lit up with memes and images generated by artificial intelligence of the animal, including one that dressed him in a Middle Tennessee State University hat and T-shirt. NYTIMES Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
New York Times
08-06-2025
- New York Times
Runaway Zebra Recaptured in Tennessee County
The search for a runaway pet zebra that had evaded capture for nearly a week in Rutherford County, Tenn., has come to an end. The Rutherford County Sheriff's Office, which had been searching for the animal that residents named Ed, said in a statement on Sunday that the zebra had been recaptured and returned to its owner. In a video the sheriff's office posted on Facebook, the zebra's head and legs can be seen dangling from inside a net as it spun in the sky while being airlifted by a yellow helicopter. The authorities said that the intrepid zebra was found was in a pasture near Interstate 24. The owner of the zebra — whose identity has not been released — got the animal on May 30 and had it for less than a day before it escaped the next morning, the sheriff's office said in an earlier statement. How the zebra escaped or why the man owned it was still not immediately clear, but dispatchers received a report on May 31 that a zebra had been spotted darting in traffic on Interstate 24. 'This is the first zebra to escape in Rutherford County as far as I know in the 43 years I lived here,' Lisa Marchesoni, a spokeswoman for the sheriff's office, said on Sunday. He had escaped into a wooded area and disappeared until it was spotted Thursday, the authorities said. On Friday, a police drone spotted the zebra dashing through a field near Christiana, a community about 40 miles south of Nashville. Drivers on Interstate 24 also saw him scamper across east and westbound lanes on Saturday, the sheriff's office said. On Sunday morning, deputies worked with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency to find the zebra. With several sightings of the zebra in the area, social media lit up with memes and images generated by artificial intelligence of the animal, including one that dressed him in a Middle Tennessee State University hat and T-shirt.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
Escaped Rutherford zebra being tracked via drone; officials warn public to 'stay clear'
Note: This story has been updated with new information. A deputy used a drone to find an escaped zebra nicknamed "Ed" on social media on the morning of June 6 in a field near the Christiana community, a press release said. "Deputies are tracking the zebra with the drone," the press release from Rutherford County Sheriff's spokeswoman Lisa Marchesoni added. "Thanks to Rutherford County Deputy Ryan Bauer for the video." Rutherford Sheriff's Cpl. Sean White has asked people to avoid the area. 'We don't want to scare the zebra,' White said in the press release. 'We need time to get him to calm down.' The zebra's owner shares the department's concerns that people and cameras are scaring the animal, making efforts to secure it all the more difficult, Marchesoni said. The department has not named the owner publicly. But Marchesoni said the owner did obtain his own professional searchers to look for the zebra. Zebra on the run: Nashville Zoo spokesperson warns 'stay clear of that animal' A cornered zebra can be dangerous, according to Nashville Zoo spokesman Jim Bartoo. "Their kick can crush a lion's skull in defense," said Bartoo, a 25-year staff member. Bartoo recommends people stay clear of the zebra and let experts do their job to corral or tranquilize the animal. "These are not domestic animals," Bartoo said. "They are wild animals. They have a different temperament (than a horse or donkey). They can be aggressive in defending themselves." If authorities are unable to capture the zebra, Bartoo said people should keep an eye out for where the animal may roam and call authorities if they see it. Should the zebra escape again, those who see the wild animal should contact the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office by calling 615-898-7770, Marchesoni said. The runaway animal captured national attention May 31 after it was spotted running along both sides of Interstate 24 between Joe B. Jackson Parkway and Elam Road. The zebra tied up traffic for at least an hour, said Marchesoni, the sheriff's spokeswoman. In the days since, the zebra has sparked many conversations and posts on social media, including memes promoting Middle Tennessee State University sports, local businesses, bumper stickers and even an AI-generated song. The Sheriff's Office has requested help from a veterinarian to assist in the zebra's rescue. The department has noted it will send another update when more information becomes available. This is a developing story. Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Zebra rescue in works: Rutherford deputy tracking animal by drone
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Yahoo
Former Nashville police official dies in custody on homicide charges while awaiting hearing
An elderly former Nashville assistant police chief died Feb. 20 while awaiting a court hearing on homicide charges, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office announced. The former Metro Nashville assistant police chief, 87-year-old John Sorace, had faced reckless homicide charges accusing him of shooting and killing his wife Feb. 9 at their home near Murfreesboro, court records show. Deputies booked Sorace at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on a $700,000 bond, sheriff's spokeswoman Lisa Marchesoni previously confirmed. Sorace died after a 13-day hospital stay for a pre-existing illness, according to the press release from sheriff's spokeswoman Lisa Marchesoni. Sheriff's Jail Administrator Kevin Henderson said Sorace was admitted to the hospital for medical issues Feb. 7, according to the press release. 'He was in custody at the hospital,' Henderson said in the press release. 'A deputy was there the entire time.' Incarceration: Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh hires Kevin Henderson as deputy chief over Rutherford County jail Chief Deputy Keith Lowery said the Sorace family was notified and asked for palliative care, according to the press release. District Attorney Jennings Jones said the case would be closed because of Sorace's death, the press release added. A criminal hearing had been reset for Sorace as part of an 8:31 a.m. March 17 docket in General Sessions Court before Judge Lisa Eischeid at the Rutherford County Judicial Center in downtown Murfreesboro, online Rutherford Circuit Court records show. Sorace had representation by a public defender, according to the court records. Court records list the victim's name as Sharon Sorace. "The victim suffered a gunshot wound to the neck," states a case warrant filed Jan. 13 through General Sessions Court by Rutherford County Sheriff's Detective Christian Wrather. Homicide: Warrant shows ex-Nashville assistant police chief charged in wife's shooting death Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription. This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: Former Nashville police official dies in custody on homicide charges
