Caregivers charged with murder in death of vulnerable adult, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation says

What This Story Is About Two caregivers are facing multiple charges in the death of Andrew Willis. Why It Matters Willis, who had developmental disabilities, died in 2024 at the age of 35. What Happens Next The women were arrested in Ohio and are awaiting extradition back to Tennessee.

FENTRESS COUNTY, Tenn. (WVLT) - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said two caregivers are facing charges in the death of a vulnerable adult. According to TBI, special agents joined the Jamestown Police Department in investigating the 2024 death of Andrew Willis, who had developmental disabilities.

During the investigation, TBI said agents gathered evidence indicating that Willis’ sister, 44-year-old Deborah ‘Mae’ Viola, and his mother, 62-year-old Deborah Deloris Laraway, did not properly feed and care for him, which resulted in his death. Additional investigation revealed that Viola billed the TennCare CHOICES Program for services she did not provide, TBI said. This week, TBI said a Fentress County grand jury indicted Viola and Laraway with one county of first-degree murder and one count of aggravated neglect of a vulnerable adult.

Summary of the outlet's own feed. From WVLT (Knoxville), November 6, 2026.