Coopertown, Tennessee
On Wednesday, May 22, 2019, shortly after 1 pm, Coopertown Police responded to a motor vehicle collision with possible injury on Tom Austin Hwy near Cave Springs Rd. As the officers were clearing the crash scene, dispatch issued a Be On the LookOut (BOLO) for a tractor trailer marked with letters “MDS,” headed east bound on I-24 into Coopertown. The vehicle was reported to have been involved in a kidnapping out of Montgomery County, Tennessee. Coopertown Police Chief Tyler Haley and Sergeant Justin Parker responded to I-24, Haley to exit 24 and Parker to exit 35, in an effort to intercept the vehicle. As Chief Haley approached I-24, he observed a tractor trailer that matched the description heading north on Hwy 49 toward Springfield. Chief Haley began following the vehicle and requested backup.
The driver of the vehicle was reported to have picked up a woman, assaulted her with a weapon, and attempted to rape her. Fortunately, the victim was able to escape and call 911. Chief Haley was able to get the vehicle stopped as it came into downtown Springfield. The driver, Roy Nellsch, exited the truck and immediately stated he knew what the stop was about. Nellsch had blood on his clothing and the cab of the truck was covered in blood. Additionally, Chief Haley located firearms in the cab of the truck. Nellsch told Chief Haley the blood was likely the victim’s, as Nellsch stated he “beat the hell out of her” because she was attacking him. Chief Haley took Nellsch into custody and he was transferred to Clarksville Police. The tractor trailer was impounded as evidence and later revealed more shocking evidence, indicating other potential victims.
Nellsch died from leukemia in 2022 while his case was still being heard in court. WSMV 4 Nashville released the documentary “Monster Coming Out” in January 2023. Watch the documentary below to learn how Abbey Pimentel escaped and led law enforcement to uncover a suspected serial rapist’s secrets. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED
References
WSMV 4 Nashville. (2023, January 3). Monster coming out [Video]. https://youtu.be/45l_YsOEWjY
