Inthasone Keobounhom, a 41-year-old man of Lao descent, was found deceased in his Nashville, Tennessee, apartment on January 13, 2021. A maintenance worker discovered his body after entering the residence on the 600 block of Bell Road in Antioch to investigate a water leak. Keobounhom was found lying on the floor, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. A neighbor later reported to authorities that they had heard the sound of gunshots at approximately 1 a.m.
that same morning.
The investigation into Keobounhom's death, which was classified as the city's fifth criminal homicide of the year, was undertaken by the Metro Nashville Police Department. Initially, investigators sought to speak with a man and a woman who they believed might have information pertinent to the case. For nearly a year, the investigation continued without any arrests being made.
In a significant development, authorities announced in early January 2022 that three suspects had been taken into custody in connection with the murder. The investigation led to the arrests of Demarkel Palmer, who was 30 at the time, John Waddell, then 38, and Amelia Cox, who was 35. All three were charged with first-degree murder and especially aggravated robbery. The arrests occurred over a period of time, with Palmer and Waddell being apprehended in December 2021, followed by Cox's arrest in January 2022. According to the investigation, the motive for the fatal shooting was robbery, with the suspects believed to have stolen valuables from Keobounhom's apartment.
