Tennessee Man Charged with Sending Bomb to In Laws


Police arrested 49-year-old Richard Parker on two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of felony premeditated murder in connection with a bomb explosion that killed an elderly couple in Tennessee.

FlickrCC: Andrew Iverson
Jon and Marion Setzer died Monday when a package containing a bomb blew up inside their home in Lebanon, Tenn., 30 miles east of Nashville. Jon, a retired lawyer, was 74. Marion was 72.

Parker lived in a house behind the house that containted the explosion. He is the sole suspect in the Setzers’ deaths according to Wilson County Sheriff Robert Bryan. He was previously convicted of arson in 1993, which he served four years of probation for.

“I could hardly believe what I was being told because nothing had happened in my recent times to make me anticipate anything of this kind happening,” said George Cate Jr., former law partner of John Setzer. “John and Marion Setzer are a great couple, and they have dedicated themselves to taking care of other people.”

A note, which could be incriminating evidence, was found within the debris of the explosion, but its contents have yet to be divulged. The U.S. Postal Service was first believed to have delivered the package, but investigators have rescinded the claim. Jon Setzer allegedly picked up the package from his mailbox, until it detonated inside the house, killing him and mortally wounding his wife.

Jon Setzer was a successful attorney that dealt with wills and trusts. He had ill health problems in recent years, being put on dialysis and struggled with heart problems and blood pressure, according to friends. His wife Marion was formerly a dental hygienist.

Parker, 49, is currently being held with $1 million bond after being arrested on Thursday. Investigators are currently running tests on the explosive materials and other links to Parker.

The bombing has drawn the attention of several federal agencies, including the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, and the Department of Homeland Security and the bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. There is an $8,000 reward for anyone to come forward with information regarding the case.

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