Missing Gatlinburg man found dead

Man reported missing on Saturday According to Sheriff Bruce Montgomery a missing male was found dead on Hwy 321 in Pittman Center. On June 26, at 1:53 a.m. a missing person report was filed with the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department that a Thomas McConnell Montgomery, age 53, of Gatlinburg was missing. Thomas McConnell Mongomery’s wife reported that the last time that he was heard from was on June 24 at the Gondolier Restaurant in Gatlinburg. An employee called a taxi to take him home. On June 24 at 10:22 p.m. the Sevier County Sheriff’s Department received a 9-1-1 call from the driver of 1st Response Taxi that he had to put an intoxicated male out of his taxi on Hwy 321 around Webb Creek Road. Officer Selena Ball responded but was unable to locate the subject. On June 26, at 5 a.m., Officer Stuart Reagan and Sgt. Lynn Breeden located a body in the river at Hwy 321 and Waldroup Road in the City of Pittman Center. The body was under a small bridge on Waldroup Road. The body was identified as Thomas McConnell Montgomery, from 4507 East Scenic Dr., Gatlinburg. Detective Matthew Cubberley’s investigation revealed that this was the same person that the taxi let out on June 24. An autopsy was ordered to determine the cause of death. The Sevierville Fire Department and the Sevier County Rescue squad responded to assist in the recovery efforts.