A 17-year-old boy has been taken into custody following the murder of Trinity Bostic, also 17, from Macon County, Tennessee.
Bostic, who was reported missing in the previous month, was found dead on July 3, 2024. Her remains were located by a Tennessee Department of Transportation subcontractor along a well-travelled road in Hendersonville, Tennessee, roughly 45 miles away from her Lafayette residence.
The Hendersonville Police Department revealed the arrest of the Westmoreland, Tennessee resident on Saturday morning. Currently held at the Sumner County Detention Center, the teenage suspect faces first-degree murder charges. As he is underage, the police have not disclosed his identity. It has been noted that he attended the same school and was in the same grade as the victim.
When Bostic was initially reported missing on June 29, she was classified as a runaway, prompting a local search. A friend claimed Bostic had sent her a text saying she was leaving home. Her body was later discovered by a worker collecting trash near Vietnam Veterans Boulevard and New Shackle Island Road, an event that stunned Hendersonville residents and those in nearby areas.
The investigation into Bostic’s death is being approached as a homicide, according to Sgt. Nicholas Edwards of the Hendersonville Police Department. “We suspected foul play from the beginning,” he confirmed.
No further details about the circumstances surrounding Bostic’s death or the events following her disappearance have been released by the police. An autopsy is pending and the cause of death remains undetermined.
The Hendersonville Police Department issued a public request for help in a news release. They urged anyone with information regarding Bostic’s disappearance or death to come forward, stating, “Every piece of information is valuable.”
Friends and family of Bostic have been left in a state of grief and shock. Jaycee Meador and Khloe Redfield, friends of Trinity, shared their disbelief and sadness. “Trinity was the light of our lives. She was kind, caring, and had so much potential. It’s heartbreaking to think she’s gone,” Jaycee stated. Khloe added, “We can’t believe this happened to her. She didn’t deserve this. We hope justice will be served.”
The news of the arrest has brought a mix of relief and sorrow to the community. Residents are hopeful that this development may provide more details and justice for Bostic. The case has garnered considerable attention, underlining the importance of community involvement and vigilance in such tragic circumstances.
Bostic’s peers have rallied to support her family in their quest for justice. A GoFundMe campaign has been started to assist with funeral costs. “I started it thinking it would not do that well, but it just started to blow up,” remarked Landon Connor, a classmate. “We’re hoping it continues to draw in money for the family.” The fundraiser has so far generated over $12,000.
