Marion County Woman Murdered, Search is on for Boyfriend

Law enforcement officers from all over the tri-state area are on the lookout tonight for a man described as "a person of interest" in the beating death of a Marion county woman.

People in the Whitwell area of Marion county are a tight-knit group.

Everyone seems to know everyone else.

Most knew and loved Brandi Duba, who died last night, but few of them knew much about the man officers are looking for.

KIM WILSON, BRANDI'S FRIEND "I thought this was a dream, I mean I didn't believe that somebody could actually kill her."

Brandi Duba died last night here at her trailer home on Cheri Circle after a brutal beating with a baseball bat.

And Marion county sheriff's deputies are looking Michael Shirley, the man who lived with her and her two small children.

The tragic story began unfolding when officers went to investigate the wreck of a Jeep on Ketner Mill road last night. They think the driver was Shirley.

SHERIFF "BO" BURNETTE, MARION COUNTY "While they were at the wreck, they received a call from a neighbor who saw the door of the trailer open..officers went there and found the two young kids on the couch asleep. "

Deputies then located what appeared to be a blood splatter in the kitchen area, and then discovered the body of the 27 year old mother in the bedroom.

Sheriff Bo Burnette no charges have been filed but they want Brandi's boyfriend, Michael Shirley for questioning.

He is described as a being 6-3, 215 pounds with numerous tattoos on his body including a large swastika on his back. He was released from prison a few months ago and had been living with Brandi Duba for more than 6 months.

SHERIFF BURNETTE "We might be wrong, but we think he's still in the area."

It was a long night for Jeanette Long, a close friend and neighbor on Cheri Circle.

JEANETTE LONG, BRADI'S NEIGHBOR "I haven't been asleep..last night when it happened ..About 11..when we found out about it..getting ready to go to bed and then ...It all came out and we haven't been asleep since."

KIM WILSON, FRIEND "It's hard to believe, ..You want to wake up thinking it was all a dream."

The body of the young woman sent to the State Medical Examiner in Nashville for an autopsy.

Anyone with information about this case or Michael Shirley..is asked to call the Marion County Sheriff's Department.