Raegan Leigh Anderson and Chandler Kuhbander (Hinesville Police Department)
The bodies of two Georgia firefighters who had been missing for several days were found dead in Tennessee over the weekend, authorities announced.
According to a news release from the Hinesville Police Department in Georgia, authorities searching for the missing persons found the bodies of Raegan Leigh Anderson and Chandler Kuhbander in Cocke County, Tennessee, which is about 230 miles east of Nashville and 400 miles southeast of Hinesville.
The release stated that in addition to the firefighters’ bodies, investigators also recovered Anderson’s vehicle, a black 2017 Ford Focus. Police on Wednesday had released a photo of the Ford Focus, while updating the public on the search for Anderson and Kuhbander.
Law enforcement authorities in Tennessee are currently investigating the scene where the bodies were recovered, but have released only scant specifics on the case.
“Details pertaining to the discovery of their bodies, vehicle and events leading to their deaths are not available at this time. Questions should be directed to the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office or the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations,” Hinesville police said. “We extend our deepest condolences to the Anderson and Kuhbander families during this incredibly difficult time.”
According to a report from Savannah CBS affiliate WTOC, the two firefighters had previously dated for several years, but recently broke up.
In the days before they both went missing, the former couple reportedly got into a public spat at a restaurant.
“Ms. Anderson came into an Olive Garden in Pooler, Georgia where Mr. Kuhbander was on a date,” a police report regarding the June 22 incident stated. “Ms. Anderson caused a disturbance with Mr. Kuhbander and she walked outside and keyed his vehicle.”
The incident reportedly resulted in Anderson being charged with one count of second-degree criminal damage to property and one count of disorderly conduct.
In an interview with Savannah ABC affiliate WJCL, Kuhbander’s mother said she spoke to her son on June 24, and he said Anderson had been “blowing up” his phone with calls and texts. Surveillance footage from that morning reportedly showed Kuhbander leaving a Crunch Fitness at a mall in Oglethorpe but not returning to his vehicle. That footage also showed Anderson’s car slowing driving around the mall parking lot.
Additionally, authorities said that when they went to Anderson’s home on Tuesday for a wellness check, they found the house unlocked and inside was a note that indicated Anderson presented a danger to herself, WJCL reported.
Anderson and Kuhbander were both employed as firefighters by Liberty County Fire Services Station #1 in Midway, Georgia. Anderson, a lieutenant, was last seen at the station while Kuhbander, a senior firefighter, was last spotted leaving a local gym early on June 25.
“These two extremely dedicated employees put their hearts and souls into protecting and serving the citizens of Liberty County,” Liberty County Fire Services said in a Facebook post on Sunday. “Our prayers, and those of the department, are with the families during this most difficult time.”
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