WKRN has reported that nearly sixty years after the tragic death of Pauline Mullins Pusser, new investigative findings have emerged that shed light on the events surrounding her murder. Pauline, who was married to Buford Pusser, a former sheriff of McNairy County, was long thought to have been killed in an ambush aimed at her husband in 1967.
In 2024, a renewed investigation led by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation resulted in the exhumation of Pauline’s remains. Officials revealed that the evidence collected during this inquiry, which included autopsy findings, bloodstain pattern analysis, ballistic information, and discrepancies in Buford Pusser’s initial statements, established a probable cause indicating that her death was likely the result of intentional violence rather than an unfortunate accident.
The analysis suggested that Pauline was probably shot outside of the couple’s vehicle before her body was placed inside. Additionally, experts found that the gunshot wound sustained by Buford Pusser to his face was consistent with a close-range discharge, contradicting earlier narratives that described a long-range ambush. Medical examiners also discovered signs of prior interpersonal violence on Pauline’s body.
Further evidence supporting this new perspective included the placement of cartridges, inconsistencies in bullet trajectories, and the positioning of blood on the vehicle’s hood. In 2023, investigators received a tip regarding a potential murder weapon, which has since been incorporated into the case file. The comprehensive investigation has resulted in a report that spans over 1,000 pages.
Although Buford Pusser passed away in 1974, authorities have indicated that, had he been alive today, he would likely face charges related to his wife’s death. These findings have sparked conversations in Adamsville, where the Buford Pusser Museum continues to celebrate the sheriff’s contributions to law enforcement. City officials have announced plans to assess the implications of this investigation and how it may affect the community’s perception of Pusser’s legacy.
Buford Pusser remains a controversial figure in the history of Tennessee, revered for his battle against organized crime and immortalized in films, yet now facing renewed examination regarding the circumstances of his wife’s death.
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