Suspect Captured in Clemson Murder Case

A registered sex offender suspected in the killing of a Clemson University student who was strangled with a bikini top, was captured early today in Jefferson County, Tennessee, said Sheriff David Davenport.

Jerry Buck Inman, 35, was taken into custody during a traffic stop about a mile from his parents' home in Dandridge, Tennessee, Sheriff Davenport said. Inman was taken to the county jail.

Authorities issued arrest warrants and a nationwide manhunt for the registered sex offender after DNA evidence linked him to the murder of Clemson student, Tiffany Souers, who was found May 26 in her off-campus apartment.

UPDATE: Tennessee authorities said Inman confessed to the murder of Tiffany Souers and the May 23 aggravated rape of a Sevierville, Tenn., woman and the May 24 attempted rape and aggravated robbery of a 24-year-old Rainsville, Ala., woman. "We asked him, `Why?', and all he would say was that he's a sick animal," Jefferson County Sheriff Department Chief Deputy G.W. "Bud" McCoig told reporters.

Inman, whose last known address was in Tennessee, has warrants issued for murder, criminal sexual conduct and kidnapping in connection with the death of the 20-year-old Clemson University junior civil engineering major.

The warrants were issued after DNA samples from Souers' apartment matched Inman's DNA submitted by Tennessee and Florida to a national database. S.C. State Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart said Inman is registered as a sex offender named James Inman in Blount County, Tennessee.

Police searched throughout the night in the Dandridge area, where Inman's parents and sister lives. Fox News reported that Inman's mother in Tennessee told authorities that he was at her home earlier Tuesday, but he left to go to his sister's house, but police did not find him there.

See Also:
Suspect Wanted in Death of Student Caught
Sex Offender Sought in Clemson Student's Death
Warrants issued for Jerry Buck Inman for Murder of Tiffany Souers

Earlier Articles:
Police Release Clues in Clemson Murder Case
Evidence Developing in Clemson Student's Death

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