Man sought in Union City death; mother cooperating with authorities

Mother, son sought in woman's murder

A 25-year-old woman was found dead in a Union City hotel room and police are looking for her boyfriend in connection with the incident. The boyfriend's mother also was being sought by police but has turned herself in and apparently will not be charged, police said Sunday.

Just after 4:30 a.m. Saturday, Union City police found Jennifer Ann Gatewood unresponsive in a room at the Garden Inn and Suites at 6170 Shannon Parkway, Union City police Capt. Michael Jones said. She was dead from an apparent gunshot wound.

Detectives believe Irwin Clint Dresbach, 32, fatally shot Gatewood, a mother of a 4-year-old boy, according to Channel 2 Action News. Dresbach, 32, is Gatewood's boyfriend, Jones said. Officials don't have a motive, but Dresbach has an extensive criminal record, the television station reported.

Arrest warrants were issued for Dresbach and Lola Connie Stephens-Smith on felony murder charges. Stephens-Smith, 53, is Dresbach's mother, according to Channel 2. She turned herself in to authorities and is cooperating in the investigation, police said Sunday. It appears she will not be charged, Jones said in a news release.

Dresbach was last seen with Stephens-Smith in a white 1998 Dodge Durango, possibly with a South Carolina or Alabama license plate. Dresbach, who should be considered armed and dangerous, may be headed to one of those states, Jones said.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 770-515-7836.

--Angel K. Brooks contributed to this report.