JOHNNIE MACK SALYER

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Mack Salyer and his daughter, Shana
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Convicted killer Billy Hawk
Update: On Monday, June 6, 2016, a Hamilton County jury convicted William F. "Billy" Hawk of first degree murder in the death of Johnny Mack Salyer and sentenced him to life in prison. 

In early June of 1981, a couple living on Lake Chickamauga discovered a steel barrel near their dock. Inside the barrel, deputies found the badly decomposed body of 27-year old Johnnie Mack Salyer. Salyer had been shot in the chest and stuffed into the barrel which was then locked.

Detectives believe Salyer was killed on May 24, 1981. He was a known drug dealer and had recently been arrested by TBI agents during an undercover narcotics operation. 

Original Investigating Agency: HCSO
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