Murder of Holly Bobo

Also known as: Holly Bobo

Active: 2011–2011
Region: Decatur County, Tennessee, USA
State: TN
Kind: Single
Status: Convicted
Victims: 1

On April 13, 2011, Holly Bobo, a 20-year-old nursing student, was taken from her family's home in rural Decatur County, Tennessee; her brother saw her walking into the woods with a man in camouflage. The search lasted more than three years, until ginseng hunters found her remains in woods in northern Decatur County in September 2014. In a trial moved to Savannah, a jury convicted Zach Adams in September 2017 of her kidnapping, rape and murder, and he was sentenced to life without parole plus 50 years. His brother, Dylan Adams, entered an Alford plea in 2018 and was sentenced to 35 years, and a third man, Jason Autry, testified for the State under a plea deal. Zach Adams maintains his innocence; a judge denied his bid for a new trial in July 2026.

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Victims

We remember the people whose lives were taken.

Holly Lynn Bobo, 20 · April 13, 2011
A nursing student from rural Parsons, Tennessee.

Timeline of locations

April 13, 2011
Bobo family home, Darden (Abduction, approximate area)
Holly Bobo was taken from her family's home on April 13, 2011. Her brother saw her walk into the woods with a man dressed in camouflage. Mapped at city precision.
September 2014
Woods in northern Decatur County (Recovery site, approximate area)
In September 2014, ginseng hunters found her remains by a logging road in woods in northern Decatur County, near Interstate 40 and not far from her home. Mapped at city precision.
September 2017
Hardin County court, Savannah (Court / trial, approximate area)
The trial was moved to Hardin County to find an unbiased jury. Zach Adams was convicted on September 22, 2017, and sentenced the next day to life without parole plus 50 years. In July 2026 a Hardin County Circuit Court judge denied his post-conviction petition.

Sources

Each location also lists its own sources in the data file.