In the small city of Cookeville, Tennessee, a domestic dispute tragically escalated, leading to the death of Samantha Goolsby, a 42-year-old woman known for her vibrant and caring personality. Remembered affectionately as "Sam" or "Sammy G," she was a beloved mother, daughter, sister, and friend.
The events that led to her untimely death began to unfold on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. An argument erupted between Goolsby and 57-year-old Lora Morgan at a residence in Cookeville. As Goolsby was leaving the home, Morgan allegedly shot her.
The following day, after Goolsby failed to return home, a family member reported her missing. The search for Goolsby ended in sorrow when her body was discovered partially hidden in a wooded area on a property just north of Cookeville.
Investigators quickly identified Lora Morgan as a suspect. Upon her arrest, Morgan confessed to shooting and killing Goolsby. She also admitted to attempting to clean the crime scene and leaving Goolsby's body at the residence for over a day before moving her to the field where she was ultimately found.
Morgan has been charged with first-degree murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence. She is currently being held in the Putnam County Jail on an $820,000 bond and is scheduled for a court appearance on April 20, 2026.
