NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — In a chilling testimony that gripped the courtroom, Jason Autry, a key figure in the Holly Bobo murder case, provided a harrowing account of the events leading to the Tennessee woman’s death. Autry, testifying against his former associate Zach Adams on Thursday, detailed the gruesome reality of April 13, 2011, the day Holly Bobo’s life was tragically cut short. His testimony aimed to shed light on the question that has haunted the public for years: Why Did They Kill Holly Bobo?
Autry, who openly admitted to battling addiction, stated that his involvement on that fateful day was driven by a desperate need for morphine, methamphetamine, and painkillers. He confessed to the jury that he was not promised any reward for his testimony but hoped it would be considered in his own ongoing case.
According to Autry’s testimony, the morning of April 13th began at his cousin Shayne Austin’s residence. He arrived to a disturbing scene: Dylan Adams was burning items in a barrel, Zach Adams stood by his truck, and Shayne Austin, shirtless, was aggressively urging everyone to leave. Autry, initially seeking drugs and expecting to assist Adams with an unspecified task, was given a morphine pill – a crucial component for his preferred drug cocktail. It was then that Adams revealed the true nature of the “help” he required.
Instead of assisting with cooking methamphetamine as Autry initially believed, he was confronted with a far more sinister request: to help bury a body. In the truck’s bed, Autry saw a body wrapped in a multicolored farm blanket. His initial assumption was that it was someone involved in a drug deal gone wrong. However, Adams chillingly corrected him, allegedly stating, “That’s Holly Bobo.”
Despite not knowing Holly Bobo personally, Autry agreed to assist Adams. The two drove in Adams’ truck to a secluded underpass near I-40 in Decatur County. Autry recounted a disturbingly pragmatic conversation with Adams, devoid of emotion. Realizing they lacked tools to properly bury the body, they discussed an appalling alternative: to “gut her” and dispose of the body in the deepest part of the river, believing turtles would consume the remains before discovery.
Upon unloading Holly Bobo’s body near the riverbank, Autry witnessed a horrifying sign of life – her foot moved, and she made a sound of distress while still wrapped in the blanket. Autry immediately alerted Adams, exclaiming, “This f%#$@** b**** is still alive.” Fearing that Bobo had overheard his name and could implicate him, Autry insisted that Adams had to take decisive action.
Autry positioned himself as a lookout while Adams retrieved a gun from his truck. A gunshot rang out. Panicked by the sound of a possible boat nearby, both men believed they had been caught and fled the scene.
The gunshot served as a stark wake-up call for Autry, who initially sought to distance himself from Adams. However, his addiction soon led him back to Adams later that day at a known drug dealer’s residence.
It was there that Autry witnessed a confrontation between Adams and Shayne Austin. According to Autry, Adams accused Shayne of being equally culpable, mentioning that Shayne had “hit it,” implying the rape of Bobo before her murder.
Autry’s contact with Adams was sporadic until two days later, when they met at a gas station near Adams’ home. Autry inquired about Holly Bobo’s fate. Adams’ response was a cold, dismissive, “we threw her out.”
At this juncture in the trial, prosecutors paused proceedings and excused the jury to clarify their line of questioning. Without the jury present, they probed Autry about further statements Adams allegedly made outside the gas station.
Autry revealed that Adams was agitated because his brother Dylan was talking excessively about Bobo’s murder. In a disturbing twist, Adams allegedly offered Autry money from his grandfather’s anticipated inheritance and a place to live in exchange for killing Dylan. Adams feared his brother’s loose talk would lead to their capture.
While Autry claimed he did not agree to kill Dylan Adams, he stated he warned Adams that “if I do it, you’ll be next,” expressing his resentment at being drawn into a situation he felt he couldn’t control from the beginning.
Days later, Autry feigned acceptance of Adams’ offer, luring Dylan Adams into a fishing trip. Autry’s plan to kill Dylan was thwarted by the unexpected arrival of another fisherman who knew Dylan’s grandfather, interrupting his sinister plot. Autry abandoned his plan but used the opportunity to question Dylan about the events of that day.
In 2012, Autry finally confronted Zach Adams directly about the alleged rape. Adams purportedly confessed that the rape had occurred at a barn in Kelly’s Ridge in Benton County. He described it as “brief” and involving himself, Dylan Adams, and Shayne Austin. Autry further claimed Adams disclosed that the brothers also engaged in incest during the assault.
Adding another layer of alleged motive, Autry testified that Adams claimed the entire sequence of events on April 13, 2011, was initiated because Adams had gone to the Bobo residence to teach Holly’s brother, Clint, how to cook methamphetamine. According to Autry, Adams stated that Holly “started hollering,” which led to her abduction. Judge McGinley explicitly instructed the jury that this statement was to be considered solely as Adams’ allegation, not as established fact.
Jason Autry’s detailed and graphic testimony offered a chilling glimpse into the events surrounding Holly Bobo’s murder. While his account provides a potential answer to the question “why did they kill Holly Bobo?”, painting a picture of drug-fueled decisions, fear, and a horrific chain of events, it remains crucial to remember that this is one perspective within an ongoing legal process. The full truth and the ultimate motivations behind this tragic crime may remain shrouded in the complexities of human depravity and the dark secrets revealed in the courtroom.
