A Livingston man was arrested after the body of his girlfriend was found burned in a refrigerator off a rural road in Overton County. After a joint investigation with Overton County police and TBI, Edward Randolph has been charged with first-degree murder and abuse of the corpse of Hope Parrott. He is currently being held on a $50,000 bond.
We talk below about the unique circumstances of this case and how Randolph’s early cooperation with the prosecution could affect his outcome.
A Strange Set of Facts
Authorities began investigating after a woman reported a fire on a rural road at about one in the morning. They found a refrigerator with a “discarded and burned” corpse inside on Sunk Cane Road in Crawford on July 31, 2025. Police were able to identify the remains as Parrott, which led them to arrest Randolph. Her family had filed a missing persons report on July 5 after they had failed to hear from her.
Randolph and Parrott had been dating after meeting on Facebook, but an Overton police spokesperson said that Parrott had been trying to leave Randolph for some time before she went missing.
What Evidence Do We Know – and What Will Be Important?
According to court documents, Randolph has reportedly told authorities that, after he killed Parrott, he put the refrigerator containing her body in the bed of his truck, drove to Sunk Cane Road, dumped it, then used a lighter to set it on fire. If he has started to discuss details of the crime like this – in such a way that amounts to a confession – then it’s possible he is working with the prosecution in hopes of obtaining a plea deal for a lower sentence.
One big piece of evidence still unknown, and that prosecutors will be looking for, is a possible motive. Parrott’s daughter, Cara Henry, told Nashville’s WKRN that Randolph “just didn’t seem like he cared all that much about my mom.” She also speculated that others may be involved since there is “no way” Randolph could have loaded the fridge containing her mother’s body alone.
Next Steps in the Case
It is still early on in Randolph’s case. He has clearly been having conversations with investigators and the prosecution, even amounting to a confession. His defense attorneys will likely use his cooperation to get a plea deal with the aim of a lesser sentence, especially since both first-degree murder and abuse of a corpse are felony charges with hefty prison sentences. First-degree murder, in particular, can carry a life imprisonment sentence or even the death penalty.
Need a Defense Attorney? Call Us Today
In every case, looking at the unique circumstances and challenging the evidence is key. No matter the charge, you have the right to a strong defense. Our experienced attorneys have successfully represented clients in a variety of circumstances, and we’re ready to put our knowledge to work for you. Contact PNC Law today at (615) 785-2000 or philip@tncriminaldefenseattorney.com.