Tourist Killing: Third Suspect in Custody in Nashville

NASHVILLE, TN — A third suspect has surrendered to police in the alleged killing of a tourist in downtown Nashville in September.

Joseph Santillan, 25, of Antioch, was wanted on charges that include first-degree murder, according to Metro Nashville Police. Andy Francisco Nunez, 22, and his girlfriend, Daniela V. Cruz, 20, both of LaVergne, were arrested last week after they were found in a Raleigh motel.

Nashville police announced Santillan's arrest late Sunday, noting he surrendered to police and was in the Metro Jail.

Late Sept. 25, Teddy Grasset, 30, and Larry Niehues, 28, of Los Angeles were walking down 4th Avenue near the Country Music Hall of Fame when a silver Chevrolet Impala slowed and two men jumped out — identified by police as Nunez and Santillan. Cruz is accused of driving the car.

Grasset and Niehues fled in the separate directions. Grasset was allegedly shot by Nunez and pronounced dead at a Nashville hospital.

Nunez and Cruz were found at a Days Inn motel in Raleigh and taken into custody by local police.

Investigators had been searching for the Impala since releasing security footage soon after the killing. During a press conference Friday, Chief Steve Anderson said a citizen tip led police to investigate Santillan and investigators eventually recovered the car in an unidentified auto body shop.

The bumpers had been replaced and a spoiler on the truck had been removed. Also missing: the blue light affixed to the license plate that had been key in the police description of the vehicle as they sought tips in the case. The car has been impounded for analysis.

“The investigation to this point leads us to believe that the persons indicted in this case had traveled into downtown for the purpose of finding vulnerable victims to rob,” Anderson said. “As they drove along 4th Avenue South beside the loading dock of the Country Music Hall of Fame, they saw Teddy Grasset and his friend, Larry Niehues.”

Mayor Megan Barry thanked the detectives leading the investigation.

“I know a number of tips were received over the past few weeks, which shows just how important strong relationships between our Police Department and the community are to public safety," she said.

Photos provided by Nashville Metro Police