WGAA 1340AM Cedartown

A 25 year old Hokes Bluff man has been placed under arrest in connection with the death of his girlfriend. Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin said that the body of 28 year old Monica Michelle Payne was found Wednesday night inside a residence located at 5588 Clinton Street in Hokes Bluff and that the cause of death is speculated to be blunt force trauma to the head. An autopsy is currently underway to determine the exact cause of death. District Attorney Jimmie Harp said 25 year old Jeremy Wayne Grissom is charged with Murder, and Abuse of a Corpse with the Abuse of a Corpse charge, being due to his preparation to dispose of the body. Grissom reportedly wrapped the victims body multiple times in plastic and duct tape – he then placed the body inside a duffle bag and began cleaning the house. Harp said he also took the time to move Payne’s car to a different location. Hokes Bluff Police arrived on the scene and took Grissom into custody at 6:57pm following a 9-1-1 call, made by one of his own family members. Grissom is currently being held in the Etowah County Detention Center on $500,000 bond, for each charge. Sheriff Entrekin said the slaying is thought to have possibly been the result of a domestic dispute which escalated. Payne was a 2000 graduate of Sylvania High School.