Full Breakdown
Retired Special Forces Veteran Craig Berry Found Dead After Tennessee Manhunt
5/8/2026, 5:53:39 AM
Incident Overview
On the night of April 30 and early May 1 2026, Craig Berry, 53, a retired U.S. Army Special Forces infantryman and medical sergeant (1992-2016), allegedly beat, attempted to strangle, and shot his wife in the neck as she fled in her car from their Dover, Stewart County, Tennessee home. The wife, a local teacher, survived and was later released from the hospital. Berry faced charges of second-degree attempted murder, domestic assault, aggravated assault and leaving the scene of an accident.
Manhunt Timeline
- May 1 – Deputies responded at 1:30 a.m.; Berry had already fled into the woods.
- May 1-2 – Trail-camera footage captured him entering the forest in camouflage.
- May 4 – A second-degree attempted-murder warrant and $5,000 U.S. Marshals and $2,500 TBI rewards were announced.
- May 6 – Deputies, SWAT and TBI agents located Berry’s body.
Multi-Agency Search Effort
The Stewart County Sheriff’s Office coordinated with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Tennessee Highway Patrol, U.S. Marshals Service, Department of Homeland Security and SWAT teams. Search tactics used K-9 units, helicopters, heat-detection planes, trail cameras and a grid sweep of hills, ravines, snakes and rain. Officials described Berry as “armed and dangerous,” carrying at least one handgun and possessing “excellent swimmer and diver” skills. His body was found several miles from his home, near the trail-camera sighting and about a quarter-mile from his in-laws’ house.
Official Statements
Sheriff Frankie Gray said Berry’s death ends the public threat and praised the cooperation of federal, state and local partners. U.S. Marshals Service spokesperson Deputy Christian Marrero confirmed the finding and expressed pride in the joint effort. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and Highway Patrol issued similar acknowledgments.
Criticism & Gaps
Gray mentioned a possible “financial situation” between the couple but declined further comment, and officials did not rule out outside assistance. Reports differ on whether the cause of death was officially confirmed as self-inflicted, and on the exact distance of the body from the home.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Marrero told PEOPLE, "We can confirm Craig Mark Berry is deceased and no longer a threat to the public.” — Christian Marrero, U.S. Marshals Service spokesperson
- “Initial indications show he died due a self inflicted gunshot wound.” — Stewart County Sheriff’s Office
- “He is an excellent swimmer and diver, and is in good physical shape.” — Stewart County Sheriff’s Office
- “We are not ruling out the possibility that he has received some outside assistance after the incident. We have no information that he is no longer in the area,” — Stewart County Sheriff’s Office
Implications & Next Steps
The medical examiner will determine the official cause of death, and investigators will continue to examine the domestic-violence incident. Law-enforcement agencies emphasized that the threat has ended, while local schools are providing support to staff and students affected by the event.
