On June 30, 2024, the bodies of two Georgia firefighters, Chandler Kuhbander and Raegan Anderson, were discovered in Cocke County, Tennessee, ending a week-long search that spanned multiple states. The former high school sweethearts, both 24, had been missing for almost a week, with numerous law enforcement agencies involved in the search.
The Hinesville Police Department in Georgia confirmed the discovery of Anderson and Kuhbander’s bodies, found along with Anderson’s vehicle on Hollow Road in Cosby, Tennessee, around 400 miles from their last known locations. The investigation into their deaths is being headed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and the Cocke County Sheriff’s Office.
The two firefighters were last seen on June 24. Surveillance footage captured Anderson, a member of Liberty County Fire Services Station #1 in Midway, Georgia, at a gas station. Kuhbander, a senior firefighter with the same department, had last been spotted departing a gym in Savannah, Georgia, on the same day and getting into Anderson’s car.
In the lead-up to their disappearance, there had been a series of unsettling incidents. Anderson and Kuhbander, who had a rocky seven-year relationship starting in high school, had separated in 2023. On June 22, Anderson was arrested after she confronted Kuhbander during his date with another woman at an Olive Garden Restaurant and damaged his vehicle. She was charged with disorderly conduct and second-degree criminal damage to property.
Jane Kuhbander, Chandler’s mother, expressed grave worries for her son’s safety prior to the discovery. She revealed that Anderson had repeatedly threatened to harm herself and suggested her son may not have been with Anderson by choice. “He was telling me she was blowing up his phone, and he said that she had threatened that she was going to commit suicide. And it’s not the first time she’s done it,” she stated.
Anderson’s black 2017 Ford Focus, bearing Georgia license plates, was discovered along with the bodies. The car had been spotted in several locations, including Savannah and Richmond Hill, Georgia prior to being located in Tennessee.
The Liberty County Fire Services issued a statement lamenting the loss of their colleagues, highlighting their dedication to protecting and serving the people of Liberty County. The department extended its prayers to the families of the deceased during this challenging period.
An autopsy is scheduled to ascertain the precise cause and manner of their deaths. Authorities continue to investigate, attempting to reconstruct the final movements and circumstances leading to this tragic event.
The untimely demise of Raegan Anderson and Chandler Kuhbander has deeply impacted their community, colleagues, and loved ones. Their commitment to their firefighting roles and to public service will be remembered and honored by those who knew them.
