Body of Murdered Man Found In Downtown Nashville

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A Metro police officer found the body of man on the corner of 5th Avenue and Church Street at 6:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Central Precinct Officer Lloyd Sharp was conducting a routine patrol when he found 46-year-old Edward Matthews lying face down on a bench. Sharp first tried to wake the homeless man - thinking he was asleep, but the officer quickly discovered Matthews was dead.

Don Aaron, spokesperson for Nashville Metro Police, said Matthews, who was last seen Monday around 10:30 p.m. on lower Broadway, was shot in the head. No gun was found at the scene.

Matthews had been charged with 190 offenses over the past 20 years. The homeless man's mother spoke to a local newspaper said her son, who had a bachelor's degree, was on the streets because of his drug addiction.

Metro police closed down 5th Avenue and Church Street while they investigated. The roads were back open around 10:45 a.m. Tuesday.

Detectives continue to investigate leads.

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