Woman who filed suit against deputy over baptism found dead at her home

Shandele Marie Riley filed a federal lawsuit against the deputy who pulled her over 3 years ago

SODDY DAISY, Tennessee (WDEF) – A woman who had an active lawsuit going against a Hamilton County Deputy was found dead at her home in Soddy Daisy last night.

Shandele Marie Riley was involved in the infamous “baptizing” case against Deputy Daniel Wilkey in 2019.

No one is saying how she died at this point.

The TBI says the Hamilton County coroner will conduct an autopsy on the cause of death.

They were asked by District Attorney Neil Pinkston to handle the investigation after the Sheriff’s Office recused itself because of her outstanding lawsuit against them.

Riley filed suit over an invasive, roadside body cavity search for drugs.

But she also says that the Deputy baptized her against her will in Soddy Lake or go to jail.

The deputy pulled her over and asked her if she had any drugs in the car.

She told him that she had one marijuana cigarette, which he found in the car.

Riley claimed he gave her the choice of getting off with a citation, but only if she agreed to be baptized.

Otherwise, he would take her to jail.

During the traffic stop, they had a 30 minute long conversation about religion, and Riley herself says she thought he was legitimately concerned about her spiritual well-being at that point.

But after going through the Baptism, she decided it was more about power and control over her.

Wilkey eventually was indicted on a variety of charges against him ranging from extortion, assault, sexual battery and rape involving other complaints against him.

He would resign from the Sheriff’s Office.

The lawsuit by Riley is still ongoing.

Just last week, a judge refused to throw it out.

Her attorney, Robin Flores, told us today that the lawsuit will continue even after her death.

Her oldest child will continue it on her behalf.

The investigation against Deputy Wilkey also has political implications.

District Attorney Pinkston accused the Sheriff’s Office of intentionally trying to slow down his investigation.

And they said that several police videos he requested of the incidents were not available because of a catastrophic failure of the video system.

Pinkston’s opponent in next week’s primary, Cody Wamp, worked for the Sheriff’s Office.

And she has accused him of not properly supporting law enforcement.