COFFEE COUNTY, Tenn. - Police have made an arrest in the death of a Coffee County man and the brutal beating of the victim's fiance.
U.S. Marshals arrested Troy Lynn King, 41, near San Diego, California for the murder of Thomas Colucci.
Coffee County Sheriff's deputies were sent a picture of a bearded man in a white t-shirt to identify King moments after he was arrested.
Colucci was found dead inside a Coffee County home back in November with multiple gunshot wounds. Police said King was the estranged husband of Colucci's fiance, Connie King, who was beaten at the time of the murder. Police believe King had plans to leave the country to avoid prosecution when he traveled near the U.S. - Mexico border.
"We believe that was the reason for his move to the San Diego area," said Frank Watkins with the Coffee County Sheriff's Department.
King was fighting extradition back to Tennessee where he will face charges of first degree murder, felony murder, and theft of more than $1,000.
The extradition process could take up to 90 days.
Back in the 90s, King faced a first degree murder charge, which was reduced to manslaughter in Grundy County. He also was convicted of attempted 2nd degree murder in Warren County.
