The death of a 33-year-old New Jersey man whose body was found along the side of a road in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday morning is being investigated as a homicide, authorities said.
Matthew Hemmelgarn, of the Sewell section of Mantua Township, didn’t have any identification on him when he was discovered along Old Hickory Boulevard near the former Starwood Amphitheater, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said Friday.
Investigators, however, found a key to a room at a hotel on Royal Parkway. They later learned his name and that he checked in Sunday, extending his stay each day.
Hemmelgarn spent part of Wednesday evening at Hooters restaurant on Largo Drive before leaving at 10:40 p.m. It’s not known where he went after that, police said.
The Hooters is about eight miles from where Hemmelgarm was found.
A cause of death was not provided and the investigation is ongoing. No arrests have been made.
Anyone with information about Hemmelgarn is asked to contact Nashville Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Police are offering a reward.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman.
Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips
Get the latest updates right in your inbox. Subscribe to NJ.com’s newsletters.