The Arson

Summary of The Arson

by Audiochuck

29m•December 2, 2025
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Overview of The Arson (Park Predators — Audiochuck)

This episode recounts the 2020 murder of 22-year-old Sean Moss in Prentice Cooper State Forest (near Chattanooga, TN). Found burned in the back seat of his car, Sean’s death led to a multi-jurisdictional TBI investigation, charges against two acquaintances (Caleb Cox and his girlfriend Johnbeth Holland), protracted pretrial delays, and plea deals that left many in the victim’s community frustrated. The host, Delia D’Ambra, details the timeline, investigative gaps, court outcomes, and the human impact.

Key timeline & facts

  • Feb 6, 2020 — ~4:15 a.m.: Runner notices a lone silver Toyota in Prentice Cooper State Forest; ~6:45 a.m.: forestry officers find smoke and smell burning plastic; firefighters extinguish a vehicle fire and discover human remains in the back seat.
  • Same day — License plate traces Toyota to Sean Moss (22, Franklin, TN). Surveillance shows Sean’s car entered the park at ~3:46 a.m., followed closely by a red Volkswagen Jetta registered to the mother of Johnbeth Holland (Huntsville, AL).
  • Initial statement (Caleb Cox, 22, Hickson, TN): told investigators Sean overdosed; later confessed to shooting Sean during a drug argument, claiming self-defense.
  • Medical examiner: ruled death by multiple gunshot wounds (not overdose); bullets remained in chest cavity.
  • Arrests: Caleb and Johnbeth arrested and charged with multiple offenses including tampering with evidence, arson, abuse of a corpse; charges later upgraded to homicide-related counts.
  • May 13, 2021 — Caleb and Johnbeth arrested in Killen, AL on drug-related charges; both tested positive for controlled substances; prosecutors later sought bond revocation in the homicide case.
  • April 2023 — Judge orders the homicide trial be set; trial delayed multiple times.
  • Late 2023/early 2024 — Plea deals reached:
    • Caleb Cox pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and one count of abuse of a corpse; other charges dismissed. Sentenced to 15 years; T-DOC record shows eligibility for release in 2030.
    • Johnbeth Holland pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse; remaining charges dismissed. Court granted judicial diversion: seven years of probation, no prison. She later failed probation and a drug test (capias issued; subsequently re-released on probation).

Main people involved

  • Victim: Sean Moss — 22, from Franklin/Nashville area; described as kind, funny, an Eagle Scout and glassblower (Hennessy Glass); family and community deeply affected.
  • Perpetrator/defendant: Caleb Cox — 22 (Hickson, TN). Initially lied about overdose, later admitted to shooting Sean; inconsistencies (missing murder weapon) in his account.
  • Co-defendant: Johnbeth Holland — 22 (Huntsville, AL), dating Caleb. Accused of assisting after the killing (driving, helping to burn/move body); denied or later limited cooperation with prosecutors.
  • Authorities: Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI), Hamilton County prosecutors.

Investigation details & evidentiary gaps

  • Firearms evidence: Caleb claimed Sean pulled a revolver; investigators never recovered the gun despite a canine search. This missing key piece undermined corroboration of his self-defense claim.
  • Forensics: bullets remained in Sean’s chest cavity; remains were discovered among burned clothing/towels. Family DNA was needed to ID remains; Sean’s ashes weren’t released for about a year.
  • Surveillance: video placed both vehicles in the park; Johnbeth’s car left before the vehicle was discovered burning and returned later that morning. Receipt evidence suggested she bought detergent around 10:30 a.m. that day (containers not found).
  • Investigative uncertainty: whether Johnbeth witnessed the shooting is disputed — prosecutors assert she was not present for the homicide; Sean’s mother and others believe she witnessed and aided concealment.

Charges, pleas, and legal outcomes

  • Indictments (grand jury): Caleb — first-degree murder, tampering with evidence, abuse of a corpse; Johnbeth — abuse of a corpse, accessory after the fact, tampering with evidence.
  • Plea bargains:
    • Caleb: pled to voluntary manslaughter + abuse of a corpse; sentenced to 15 years (eligible for release in 2030). Other charges dismissed.
    • Johnbeth: pled to tampering & abuse of a corpse; judge granted judicial diversion — seven years’ probation, no incarceration recommended by court despite prosecutor objections.
  • Prosecutorial position: strongly opposed diversion for Johnbeth, argued she aided in concealing a violent death and violated bond terms by continuing drug use (AL felony arrest while out on bond).

Impact on family & community

  • Sean’s family described the prolonged uncertainty and delays (COVID-19 court slowdowns, reschedulings) as agonizing; his mother, Martha, publicly condemned both defendants.
  • Community tributes emphasized Sean’s talent, kindness, and glassblowing craft.
  • Practical harm: long wait (about a year) for release of Sean’s ashes; family felt justice was delayed and outcomes insufficient.

Unresolved questions & criticisms raised by the episode

  • Why the firearm was never recovered and whether additional investigative steps/transcripts exist that clarify the shooting.
  • Whether more documentary evidence (full interviews, police reports, forensic logs) would change perceptions of Johnbeth’s presence or culpability.
  • Frustration over plea outcomes and perceived leniency (voluntary manslaughter vs. first-degree murder; judicial diversion for an accused participant).
  • The episode highlights systemic delays (pandemic-era court slowdowns), bond decisions that allowed defendants to remain free and have children, and the emotional toll on the victim’s family.

Notable quotes

  • Sean’s mother at sentencing: “You have no idea what you have put us through.”
  • Prosecutor Andrew Doyle on Johnbeth: offenses were “especially violent, horrifying, shocking, reprehensible, offensive, and excessive,” and argued the public interest weighed against diversion.

Takeaways

  • The case underscores how missing physical evidence (the alleged murder weapon) and conflicting witness accounts can shape case outcomes and plea negotiations.
  • Long pretrial delays and plea bargaining can leave victims’ families feeling justice is incomplete.
  • The episode centers not only on the crime but on remembering Sean Moss — his life, artistry in glassblowing, and the community’s grief.

Sources / where to learn more

  • Episode page and source list: parkpredators.com (Park Predators / Audiochuck)
  • Local reporting referenced: Chattanoogan.com and court records (as cited by the episode).