16 suspected dead in Tennessee factory explosion named as investigators work to identify remains

The names of 16 people who are presumed dead in the Massive explosion at Tennessee explosives factory last week were released.

Their remains have not been identified as authorities continue search efforts following Friday’s explosion at Accurate Energetic Systems in McEwen, but Humphreys County Sheriff Chris Davis and Hickman County Sheriff Jason Craft read the victims’ names aloud Monday.

“I know some of you probably saw this information through Facebook or whatever, but we want to confirm with you the names of these individual souls that we’ve been talking about,” Davis said during a news conference.

The victims are: Jason Adams, Erick Anderson, Billy Baker, Adam Boatman, Christopher Clark, Mindy Clifton, James Cook, Reyna Gillahan, LaTeisha Mays, Jeremy Moore, Melinda Rainey, Melissa Stanford, Trenton Stewart, Rachel Woodall, Steven Wright and Donald Yowell.

Their ages have not been confirmed.

Tennessee authorities are using rapid DNA testing to help identify the remains, but because of the extensive damage and hazardous materials, the process is “moving slowly and methodically,” the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency said Monday. The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.

“Under the state’s process, once a loved one has been positively identified – usually by DNA comparison with a known next of kin – the county medical examiner will issue a death certificate,” TEMA said in a statement.

The small community of McEwen, with a population of fewer than 2,000, gathered in churches over the weekend to mourn the loss of life.

“These families…their kids played ball together, went to school together,” senior pastor Tim Farris of Hurricane Free Will Baptist Church told CBS affiliate WTVF after a vigil.

Janie Brown, one of the participants, spoke with WTVF about people she knows who have been directly affected.

“I work with one of the women, her son was involved, and another, her son was involved,” Brown said, adding that she felt the reality of what happened hadn’t yet set in.

“I’ll be there for them. Whether it’s just listening to them or just holding their hand. That’s all I can do,” she said.

The explosion occurred around 7:45 a.m. CT Friday, authorities said. The explosion occurred in one of eight buildings on campus. Video from the scene shows damaged vehicles and charred debris scattered around the area.

Accurate Energetic Systems specializes in the development, manufacturing, handling and storage of products and explosives for the military, aerospace and commercial demolition markets, according to its website. The company also tests these explosives on the 1,300-acre campus.