Jeffrey W. Hendrix will spend the next 20 years in prison after pleading guilty Monday to 2nd Degree Murder and Aggravated Arson.

Hendrix was sentenced by Bradley County Circuit Judge Amy Reedy to 20 years on each count,  however, she ruled the two will run concurrent and he must serve 100% of his sentence.

Jeffrey W. Hendrix

Hendrix has been in custody at the Bradley County jail since Oct. 25 when he and Mary L. Rhodes were found parked on the side of I-75 in McMinn County. Two state troopers stopped to provide assistance but noticed the couple’s clothing was covered with blood. Hendrix was taken to jail on a DUI charge while the other trooper drove Rhodes to a residence in Cleveland where he was told a possible homicide had occurred. Arriving at 320 Country Club Drive they found the body of Isham Edward Perry inside one of the apartments.

A medical examination revealed the 53-year-old victim had been beaten with a lamppost and strangled.

During investigation by the Criminal Investigations Division of the Bradley County Sheriff’s Office it was learned that Hendrix and Rhodes had moved into the apartment with Perry the day before and were spending their first night at the residence. At some point a disagreement arose and Perry was killed.

Hendrix was charged with both murder and arson and Rhodes was charged as an accessory. Her case was later dismissed in General Sessions Court

Investigation also revealed several items had been placed on the stove and it was turned on, causing smoke to fill the apartment.

Sgt. David Shoemaker was assigned as the lead investigator on the case.