Homeless man arrested in murder of Loretto native

Midtown Hills Precinct detectives tonight are charging Christopher Drew McLawhorn with criminal homicide and especially aggravated burglary in connection with February 28th murder of Nashville nurse Tiffany Ferguson, 22, inside her Wedgewood Park apartment. McLawhorn, 24, who was developed as a person of interest in this investigation, was located by Central Precinct officers at 3rd Avenue North and Broadway at 4:25 a.m. Sunday.

He had two bottles of alcohol, was carrying a small quantity of marijuana, and was arrested for misdemeanor drug possession. He denied any knowledge of the Ferguson murder during an interview on Sunday. McLawhorn remained in jail on the marijuana charge through tonight.

He will be booked on the criminal homicide and burglary warrants by the Sheriff’s Office within the next several hours. The investigation lead by Detective Anthony Chandler and his colleagues at Midtown Hills continued non-stop through today.

Based on the evidence developed thus far and witness statements, detectives believe that McLawhorn is the man who stabbed Ferguson multiple times while burglarizing her apartment. McLawhorn is considered to be homeless, although he did stay with a friend from time to time on 14th Avenue North.

McLawhorn has a limited prior arrest history in Nashville. He was arrested for public intoxication on September 25, 2015; misdemeanor theft on October 5, 2015; and failure to be booked on the misdemeanor theft charge on December 27, 2016. The police and fire departments responded to a 911 call placed at 5:41 a.m. by Ferguson’s roommate, who awakened to her screams. When the roommate exited her bedroom, she saw the front door to the apartment open. Sh