MNPD SWAT officers this morning arrested Devaunte L. Hill, 21, for the December 3 murder of Nashville nurse Caitlyn Kaufman as she drove to work on I-440. Hill was taken into custody at his apartment in the Berkshire Place complex on Porter Road in East Nashville.
Hill was brought to MNPD headquarters where he was interviewed by Homicide Unit Detectives Chris Dickerson and Jefferson Hughes. Hill implicated himself in the case. The two did not know each other. Additional arrests are possible.
“Detectives from our Homicide Unit have worked around the clock pursuing the more than 50 Crime Stoppers tips and other leads in this case,” Chief John Drake said. “They were joined by scientists at our Crime Laboratory, MNPD electronics experts, and our partners at the FBI, ATF and TBI. On behalf of Nashville, I am grateful to all of these men and women.”
The major break in the case came within an hour of the announcement that an anonymous group of Nashville business owners and entrepreneurs increased the reward for information by $50,000. A concerned citizen came forward Thursday afternoon and identified Hill as a suspect. The concerned citizen also provided information as to the whereabouts of the 9 millimeter pistol that was used in the murder. Detectives located the gun Thursday night. Crime lab scientists were called in during the night to do an immediate analysis of the pistol. The gun was test fired at the lab, and scientists reported a 100% match to the three 9 millimeter shell casings that were recovered on the shoulder of I-440 the night Caitlyn was killed. In addition, MNPD electronics experts were able to identify Hill’s cell phone number and provider. They determined that Hill’s phone was in the vicinity on the night Caitlyn was killed.
“While it was a relief to be able to sign the arrest warrant naming Hill at 3:37 this morning, it was an exceptional relief to be able to call Caitlyn’s mother, Diane, in Pennsylvania this morning to tell her that an arrest had been made,” lead Detective Chris Dickerson said. “Throughout this investigation, we have felt the support of all of Nashville, and the strong support of the Kaufman family.”
Diane Kaufman returned from Nashville to her home in Pennsylvania Thursday to prepare for Caitlyn’s funeral tomorrow.
Hill has been booked into the Downtown Detention Center on a charge of criminal Homicide. He is being held without bond pending a hearing.
The news conference announcing the arrest can be viewed here.
Devaunte L. Hill, 21
