How the bodies of missing firefighters were discovered

Nearly 400 miles from Liberty County, officers found Chandler Kuhbander and Raegan Anderson in one of their cars in Cosby, Tennessee, on Sunday morning. Now the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is leading the investigation to find out what happened to the two.

“I do not believe the investigation in any way indicates that anyone else was involved in the incident other than the two individuals found,” said Police Chief Tracey Howard of the Hinesville Police Department.

Howard expressed his sadness at the loss of his two first responder colleagues, especially knowing that they were previously firefighters.

“Now it’s about processing the loss,” Howard said.

“Did you know her personally?” asked AJ Sisson of WJCL 22 News.

“Yes, I did. I had only seen Chandler (at first). But as I talked to family members, I remembered being in Raegan’s presence when she was a young girl,” Howard said.

The discovery was made on Hollow Road in Cosby, Tennessee, nearly an hour’s drive east of Pigeon Forge. This also happens to be the last place they were seen late Monday, June 25.

According to Howard, a person noticed a car on the side of the road and called emergency responders. The Cocke County Sheriff’s Office responded to the call and found the person dead in Anderson’s black 2017 Ford Focus.

“When we started the investigation, of course, I didn’t realize it was her,” Howard said. “Sometimes you lose touch with people and don’t see them for a while, and young people grow up.”

The TBI has taken over the investigation but will continue to work with the CCSO. Once the investigation is complete, the Hinesville Police Department will complete its own.

WJCL reached out to Liberty County Fire Chief Brian Darby but did not receive a response.

There is currently no timeline for this investigation. Check back with WJCL 22 as more information will be released.