Missing woman's body found

LAWRENCEBURG, TENN. - Authorities have launched an investigation into the death of a 52-year-old woman whose body was found floating in a Lawrenceburg pond Wednesday afternoon.

"At this point, we are conducting this as a homicide investigation," said Chief Deputy Terry Beecham, of the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office. "It will continue until we can find out definitely what happened."

The body of Hyon Su Chon Kilburn, of Atkins Lane, Lawrenceburg, was found floating in a large pond off Glen Springs Road, just west of Lawrenceburg.

Authorities said the body was discovered about 2 p.m. Wednesday.

Beecham said there were no apparent signs of trauma when the body was retrieved.

"We have ordered an autopsy, and the body has been sent to the Tennessee Department of Forensic Sciences in Nashville," Beecham said. "We hope the autopsy can give us a better perspective of actually what happened."

Kilburn had a history of medical problems, deputies said.

"We found footprints leading to the pond (and) found an empty pill bottle there," Beecham said. "She was still clothed and, in fact, still had her shoes on.

"We're investigating this as a homicide until we find out something different, but from all indications it appears she took the medication and then just walked off into the pond and drowned."

Investigators said Kilburn's family reported her missing Tuesday night.

"We sent deputies to different areas where she sometimes went and talked with friends," Beecham said. "We did a lot of checking trying to find her."

Beecham said investigators discovered that the last place Kilburn had been staying was at the Traveler's Motel in Lawrenceburg on Saturday.