NEWPORT-Cocke County Sheriff Armando Fontes reported this morning that, as he has stated before, his department is treating the deaths of two bodies found decomposing in a Cosby residence last week as homicides.

"I do know the cause of death, but am not releasing that information at this time," Sheriff Fontes stated in a text message to the Newport Plain Talk.

Sheriff Armando Fontes stated on Monday, Oct. 8, that "there is a clear indication of serious substance abuse issues" with the two people whose decomposing bodies were found Thursday, Oct. 4, in a Ball Hollow Road residence in Cosby.

Sheriff Fontes also stated in the press release issued Monday that, "At this time, we do not see any potential for the public to be concerned for their personal safety."

For more details, please see the latest edition of the Newport Plain Talk.