Soldier’s widow is charged with his MURDER – five years after he was found tied up and shot dead at their home months after returning from overseas duty

The widow of a soldier found dead and bound in their home has been charged with his murder, five years after the brutal killing.

Jacob Bishop, a dedicated member of the Tennessee Army National Guard, was found by his mother in his Lenoir City home on October 1, 2019.

The woman found her son, who was 35 at the time, dead from multiple gunshot wounds and tied up with cable ties.

After five years of tireless investigation by the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office, two arrests have finally been made in this case.

Amanda Bishop, the soldier’s wife, and Eric Austin Byrd, her distant cousin, were arrested in connection with the 2019 murder.

Bishop’s widow, Amanda Bishop (pictured), has been charged with his murder

Bishop and his wife had begun filing for divorce and were engaged in a heated battle over custody of their child.

Loudon County Sheriff Jimmy Davis saw the killing as part of an ongoing feud between the couple that had a devastating ending.

“They were involved in a heated custody battle over their child and we believe that is what fueled the animosity between the two and ultimately led to his murder,” Davis said at a news conference.

Davis could not provide information about Bishop’s two children.

Both Byrd and Amanda Bishop were charged with first-degree murder and are being held in the Loudon County Detention Center on $1 million bail.

According to Davis, the arrests came after a thorough and extensive investigation involving several law enforcement agencies.

“Today’s arrests are an important step toward justice for Jacob Bishop and his family,” said Sheriff Davis.

Bishop was arrested along with her distant cousin Eric Austin Byrd (pictured) and they were both charged with first-degree murder

Before his gruesome death, Bishop had just returned from a year-long deployment in Poland

“This case remains a top priority for our office and I commend the tireless efforts of our investigators and partner agencies who have worked tirelessly to bring those responsible to justice.”

“We hope these arrests bring some peace to Jacob Bishop’s family and everyone affected by this senseless tragedy,” Sheriff Davis added.

Before his gruesome death, Bishop had just returned from a year-long deployment in Poland.

According to initial reports, Bishop was found “unconscious and unresponsive” by his mother in his home before 7:43 a.m. on October 1. When officers arrived on the scene, it quickly became apparent that foul play was involved.

According to police, witnesses at the time reported a suspicious white SUV being in the Lenoir City man’s neighborhood in the days before he was shot on Shaw Ferry Road North in northern Loudon County.

The vehicle left the area on the day of the murder, the Loudon County Sheriff’s Office said after collecting evidence from the crime scene for a week.

Brittany Kindred, Bishop’s then-partner, pleaded with the public to help find who was responsible for her partner’s death in the Tennessee Army National Guard.

“If anyone has any information on this vehicle or anything related to Jay we BEGGING you to contact the Loudon Co Sheriff’s Office. WE ARE NOT GIVING UP,” Kindred posted on Facebook.

Both Amanda Bishop and Eric Austin Byrd are being held in the Loudon County Detention Center on $1 million bail

She shared a video of the moment they reunited in May and said the clip would be played at their upcoming wedding.

Kindred described herself on her profile as a nurse and “Urijah & Brayson’s Mommy.” The day before, she had attended a funeral service with military honors at the Tennessee Veterans Cemetery.

Bishop’s mother, Diane, has proudly posted photos of her infantry son on her Facebook profile over the years. His own profile also shows off photos from his time in Poland.