A days-long search for a trained Army veteran accused of shooting his wife came to a chilling end when authorities found his body deep in the woods.
Craig Berry, 53, had been on the run after deputies say he opened fire on his wife at their Tennessee home, setting off a massive search effort across rugged terrain near Dover.
Investigators now believe Berry died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound not long after he disappeared, according to the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office.
His body was located miles from his home in a remote area where trail cameras had previously captured him slipping into the woods shortly after the attack.
Officials say he was found with a firearm and extra ammunition, suggesting he had prepared to stay hidden for an extended period.
Authorities had warned from the beginning that Berry’s military background made him especially dangerous.
Sheriff Frankie Gray said the suspect’s training gave him a significant edge in evading capture.
“A person sitting in wait has got the advantage,” Gray said during the search, noting that difficult terrain and heavy rain made it harder for deputies to track him.
🪖Nine battle-tested candidates are ready to strike a decisive blow — but only if they get the support they need right now. 🪖 Join the grassroots push to protect the House Majority and back them today! ➡️➡️➡️ Make a 9X impact!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
Investigators believe Berry likely died early in the search, possibly within hours of fleeing the scene.
The case began late on April 30, when what started as a domestic argument inside the couple’s home quickly turned violent.
According to an affidavit, Berry’s wife told investigators he struck her repeatedly before attempting to choke her. She managed to break free and run to her vehicle in an effort to escape.
As she tried to drive away, Berry fired at her, hitting her in the neck. Despite the injury, she was able to get away and seek help.
Authorities say Berry then attempted to pursue her in his truck but crashed during the chase.
Instead of staying at the scene, investigators say he returned to the home, changed into camouflage clothing and gathered additional ammunition before disappearing into the surrounding wilderness.
Deputies arriving at the house were unable to locate him, launching what would become an extensive manhunt involving multiple agencies.
Search teams combed through thick woods and rough terrain near the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, an area officials described as challenging even under normal conditions.
Rainfall during the search further complicated efforts, forcing teams to scale back operations at times due to safety concerns.
Berry’s background only added to the urgency. Officials said he had been deployed to Iraq four times and left the Army as a sergeant first class.
Authorities warned that his survival skills, physical conditioning and familiarity with outdoor environments could allow him to remain hidden for days.
“[He] is really trained to survive in the outdoors,” Gray said, explaining that Berry knew how to avoid populated areas and use the terrain to his advantage.
Investigators also said Berry had contacted his parents during the manhunt, raising concerns he could have received outside help.
“We are not ruling out the possibility that he has received some outside assistance,” the sheriff’s office said at the time.
Berry’s phone was later recovered behind the home, adding another piece of evidence for investigators trying to track his movements.
As the search intensified, federal agencies joined local authorities, including the U.S. Marshals Service and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.
Berry was added to the TBI’s Most Wanted list, and officials announced cash rewards for information that could lead to his capture.
#TNMostWanted: We need your help to find Craig Berry, wanted by the Stewart County Sheriff’s Office and TBI for Attempted Second Degree Murder, Aggravated Assault with a Weapon, Domestic Assault, and Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
Spot him? Call 1-800-TBI-FIND
1/X pic.twitter.com/MZ4I4bqmZP
— Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (@TBInvestigation) May 6, 2026
The U.S. Marshals Service also assisted in the search, coordinating efforts across multiple jurisdictions.
“We can confirm Craig Mark Berry is deceased and no longer a threat to the public,” said Christian Marrero, a spokesperson for the agency.
While the manhunt has ended, the investigation into the shooting remains active.
Berry’s wife, who suffered a neck wound during the attack, has since been released from the hospital.
Officials have not disclosed additional details about her condition.
Authorities have also declined to speculate on what led to the violence, though Gray acknowledged there may have been financial stress within the relationship.
The exact timeline of Berry’s death will be determined by the medical examiner.
Elsewhere, a separate case in Texas is under investigation after a family of four was found dead inside a home in what authorities believe was a murder-suicide.
Police in Houston discovered the bodies during a welfare check after a babysitter reported she had not heard from the family for more than a day.
The victims were identified as Thy Mitchell, 39, and her two children, 8-year-old Mya and 4-year-old Maxwell.
Authorities believe the children’s father, Matthew Mitchell, shot the three victims before turning the gun on himself.
The Harris County Institute of Forensic Sciences listed his cause of death as a gunshot wound to the head and ruled it a suicide.
The official causes of death for the other victims remain under investigation. Investigators have not publicly confirmed a motive.
The family owned two restaurants in Houston, including Traveler’s Table, which opened in 2019, and Traveler’s Cart, launched in 2024.
Officials say the investigation remains ongoing as they work to determine what led to the deaths.
