Suspect charged in roommate’s murder

HENDERSON COUNTY — A 38-year-old man has been charged with murder after surveillance video at an Athens sober living home allegedly showed him dragging what appeared to be a body from a bedroom, a Henderson County arrest affidavit revealed. On Tuesday evening, law enforcement was called after Derris Reynolds’ family members reported him missing. He was last seen on Feb. 25 at a sober living residence.

According to our news partner KETK, family members then requested the property owners to check the security footage of the residence where Reynolds was last seen. Once the homeowners reviewed the security video, they contacted the Athens Police Department.

Officers reviewed the security footage and saw Nicki Lee Gibby, 38, also a resident of the home, entering Reynolds’ bedroom. An argument between the two could be heard on the recording, and Reynolds was never seen leaving the room, according to the affidavit.

Later footage showed Gibby walking in and out of the bedroom, retrieving items, including a mop, bucket and folded towels.

Investigators said the video later captured Gibby dragging a long, heavy object that appeared to be a human body wrapped in what appeared to be a tarp. The object was dragged down a hallway and out a side door of the home, according to the affidavit.

Police obtained a warrant for Gibby and arrested him on Wednesday morning. He was booked into the Henderson County Jail on a murder charge and is being held on a $1 million bond.