Dale Hilsabeck Obituary, Death: Police ID body discovered in towed car in Murfreesboro.
Dale Hilsabeck Obituary, Death – Authorities in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, have released the identity of a man whose body was discovered in the backseat of a vehicle that had been towed and stored for nearly a month. The Murfreesboro Police Department confirmed that the deceased was 63-year-old Dale Hilsabeck, a resident of Lansing, Michigan.
The investigation began when a Hummer H3, which had been left abandoned in a Walmart parking lot, was towed on April 5 to the E.A. Towing yard located on Southpointe Court. The SUV remained unclaimed in the lot for several weeks, with no indication that it contained anything unusual. However, on May 1, nearly four weeks after the vehicle was towed, employees of the towing company noticed something suspicious when they approached the SUV to prepare it for possible auction or further processing.
The workers reported an unusual smell and the presence of flies around the back of the vehicle. Suspecting that something might be wrong, they used tools to gain access to the interior of the SUV. Once inside, they made a grim discovery: human remains were found in the backseat.
Investigators later identified the body as that of Hilsabeck. According to Murfreesboro Police, the Hummer was registered in his name, further confirming the identity. The vehicle’s windows had been covered with blackout tint, and the backseat had been folded down flat, effectively concealing the body from view. These factors made it nearly impossible for the tow truck operators or anyone else to detect the presence of a body inside the vehicle before it was opened.
At this time, the cause of Hilsabeck’s death remains unknown. An autopsy has been conducted, but authorities are awaiting the final results before making a determination. Toxicology reports and other forensic evaluations may take several weeks to complete, and investigators have not yet speculated publicly on what may have led to his death.
Police emphasized that there is no indication of foul play involving the towing company. E.A. Towing, which had taken custody of the Hummer after it was left on Walmart property, has fully cooperated with law enforcement. Similarly, Walmart has provided any necessary information to assist detectives during the ongoing investigation. At this point, officials do not suspect any criminal activity on the part of either the business or its employees.
The timeline of events raises questions about how and when Hilsabeck entered the vehicle, and how long he had been deceased before his body was discovered. Because the SUV was towed on April 5 and the remains were not found until May 1, it is believed that Hilsabeck may have been in the vehicle for several days or weeks before the discovery was made. Police are working to trace his movements in the days leading up to the abandonment of the vehicle, which may provide additional clues about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Investigators may also examine surveillance footage from the Walmart parking lot, if available, to determine when the Hummer was first parked there and whether any suspicious activity occurred. Additionally, they will likely be in contact with Hilsabeck’s family or acquaintances in Michigan to gather more information about his background, mental and physical health, travel history, and whether he had any known connections to the Murfreesboro area.
The unusual nature of the case has prompted both curiosity and concern among local residents. The notion that a body could go undiscovered in a towed vehicle for such an extended period is unsettling, though authorities have reiterated that all involved parties followed proper procedures. The heavy tint and positioning of the interior seats were key factors in concealing the body, even from those who handled the vehicle.
As the investigation continues, Murfreesboro Police are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward. Tips from the public could help reconstruct Hilsabeck’s final days and potentially provide insight into what led to his death. Although the incident remains shrouded in mystery, officials are treating it with care and attention as they await further evidence.
In the meantime, both the police department and cooperating businesses are working to reassure the community that every effort is being made to uncover the facts. While the case has not been labeled as suspicious at this point, investigators are remaining open to all possibilities as they await definitive autopsy results.
The death of Dale Hilsabeck has sparked questions, but for now, the answers remain elusive. Police continue to piece together the events leading up to his discovery and are committed to uncovering the truth behind this tragic situation.
