Brendan Sean Lynch
Santeetlah – A 46-year-old man drove onto the Cherohala Skyway in the early-morning hours of March 7, parked on the side of the road and took his own life.
Brendan Sean Lynch of Decherd, Tenn., was found deceased of a self-inflicted gunshot wound at the scene. His body was discovered by a concerned traveler that had first passed his 2014 Ford Focus between 9-9:30 a.m., that morning, which was parked at the Santeetlah Overlook near Mile Marker 7. The same driver noticed the vehicle still parked in the same location when making the return trip around 3:30 p.m.
Graham County Sheriff’s Office Capt. Travis Brooks said Lynch had a dash cam installed in the vehicle, which helped create a timeline for the investigation to follow.
Brooks said the video showed Lynch walk in front of the vehicle around 3:45 a.m., before getting back in moments later. With the camera facing forward, the incident was not captured on video – but the dash cam did help rule out the possibility of any foul play. A note was allegedly found at the scene, but no details were released on what it said.
Lynch was less than a month away from his 47th birthday, according to his obituary.
It was also said in the obituary that Lynch was a truck driver, and he enjoyed camping, hunting and hiking in the mountains.
Decherd, Tenn., is located off Interstate 24, between Chattanooga and Nashville in Franklin County.