FALL BRANCH, Tenn. — A quiet rural community in Washington County is grappling with a double tragedy this week after two local men were found deceased inside a residence on Double Springs Road. Cody Snodgrass, 37, of Fall Branch, and James Roberts, 25, of Kingsport, have been identified as the victims in a case that has left families heartbroken and neighbors searching for answers.

The discovery was made on the morning of Wednesday, February 4, 2026, following a welfare check that ended in the worst possible outcome. Sheriff Keith Sexton of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office (WCSO) confirmed the identities and stated that while the investigation is active, initial evidence points away from foul play.

As the blue lights of law enforcement vehicles fade from the winding country roads of Fall Branch, the reality of the loss has settled in. Two young lives have been cut short, leaving behind a void that will be felt by friends, family, and a community that prides itself on looking out for one another.

The Discovery: A Welfare Check Turns Tragic

The timeline of the tragedy began on Wednesday morning. According to the Sheriff’s Office, dispatchers received a call regarding a welfare concern at a home in the 600 block of Double Springs Road. Double Springs Road is a familiar thoroughfare in the Fall Branch area, a mix of rolling hills, farmland, and residential properties characteristic of Northeast Tennessee.

The Emergency Response: Deputies from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to the scene, arriving shortly before 9:00 a.m. alongside units from Emergency Medical Services (EMS).

• The Arrival: When first responders arrived, there was no answer at the door. Upon gaining entry to the residence to check on the occupants, they discovered the bodies of the two men.

• The Scene: EMS personnel assessed the victims, but it was immediately apparent that no life-saving measures could be taken. Both Cody Snodgrass and James Roberts were pronounced deceased at the scene.

For the first responders, such calls are among the most difficult. Walking into a silent home to find two young lives ended is a grim reminder of the fragility of life. For the families waiting for news, the confirmation from the Sheriff’s Office shattered their world.

The Investigation: “No Foul Play Suspected”

In the immediate aftermath of the discovery, the WCSO treated the location as a potential crime scene—a standard procedure in any unattended death investigation. Detectives cordoned off the property, and Crime Scene Investigators (CSI) likely processed the home for evidence.

However, Sheriff Keith Sexton moved quickly to quell fears in the community. “Authorities said that at this time, no foul play is suspected,” the official statement read.

This phrasing is significant in law enforcement. It typically rules out homicide, violent intruders, or a struggle. While the Sheriff’s Office has not released a specific cause of death, cases with this designation often point toward accidental causes such as carbon monoxide poisoning or medical emergencies, though officials have been careful not to speculate publicly until scientific testing is complete.

The Role of Forensics: The bodies of Snodgrass and Roberts were likely transported to the William L. Jenkins Forensic Center in Johnson City for autopsies.

• Toxicology and Pathology: Medical examiners will conduct thorough examinations to determine the precise cause and manner of death. These results can take weeks to finalize, leaving the families in a painful state of limbo as they wait for the “why.”

• Ongoing Inquiry: “The Sheriff’s Office has confirmed the investigation is ongoing and updates will be provided as more information becomes available,” the report noted.

The Victims: Remembering Cody and James

While the police report focuses on the mechanics of the investigation, the community is focused on the men who died.

Cody Snodgrass, 37: A resident of Fall Branch, Cody was on his home turf. Fall Branch is a tight-knit community where roots run deep. At 37, Cody was in the prime of his life. Friends and neighbors remember him as a man with a “unique personality”—a phrase that often implies a sense of humor, a specific passion, or a way of looking at the world that made him memorable. “Those who knew them remember them fondly for their unique personalities, contributions, and the positive mark they left on those around them,” the obituary states. For Cody, the loss is a blow to the local fabric of Fall Branch. He was a neighbor, a friend, and a presence that will be missed at local gatherings and in the daily rhythm of the town.

James Roberts, 25: James, a resident of nearby Kingsport, was just beginning his adult life. At 25, he had decades of potential ahead of him. His presence at the home in Fall Branch suggests a close friendship or kinship with Snodgrass. The loss of a 25-year-old is particularly jarring. It represents a future unfulfilled—plans not made, milestones not reached. In Kingsport, his circle of friends is grieving the loss of a peer who was taken far too soon.

Community Impact: Washington County Mourns

The news of the double death traveled fast through Washington County. In rural Tennessee, news is often shared neighbor-to-neighbor, and the loss of two men in a single incident is a heavy burden for the community to bear.

“A Solemn Reminder”: The tragedy has served as a wake-up call for many. “This tragic incident serves as a solemn reminder of the fragility of life,” the report notes. It compels residents to hold their loved ones tighter, to check in on neighbors more frequently, and to appreciate the days they have.

Local churches and community groups are expected to rally around the Snodgrass and Roberts families. In the South, this often takes the form of food trains, prayer chains, and offers of help with funeral arrangements. The sentiment “thoughts and prayers” is not just a phrase here; it is an action plan.

Grief and Support

As the families navigate the days ahead, they face the dual burden of grief and the logistical challenges of unexpected loss.

• Funeral Arrangements: Details regarding memorial services for Cody Snodgrass and James Roberts have not yet been released publicly. It is likely that separate services will be held in Fall Branch and Kingsport, though a joint memorial is possible given the circumstances of their passing.

• Privacy: The community is urged to respect the privacy of the families as they process this shock.

Conclusion

The deaths of Cody Snodgrass and James Roberts have left a permanent scar on Fall Branch. Two men, united in death, are now united in the memories of those who loved them.

As the investigation concludes and the medical examiner provides the final answers, the community’s focus will remain on supporting the living. The red clay of Washington County will hold their memory, and the stories shared by friends will keep their spirits alive.

Rest in Peace, Cody Snodgrass and James Roberts.

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Summary of Key Facts:

• Victims: Cody Snodgrass (37, Fall Branch) & James Roberts (25, Kingsport).

• Location: 600 block of Double Springs Road, Fall Branch, TN.

• Date of Discovery: Wednesday, February 4, 2026 (approx. 9:00 a.m.).

• Incident: Bodies found during welfare check.

• Cause of Death: Undetermined (pending autopsy); No foul play suspected.

• Investigating Agency: Washington County Sheriff’s Office (Sheriff Keith Sexton).