I was very saddened to read that actor Brad Renfro died; he was a Knoxville native:

Actor Brad Renfro is dead, the Los Angeles County Coroner confirmed to Access Hollywood.

Renfro's body was discovered at his home in the Wilshire area of Los Angeles, by his girlfriend, authorities told the LA Times.

He was declared dead at 9 AM, a coroner’s spokesperson told the paper....

The talented actor found himself in frequent trouble with the law beginning in the late ‘90s in his hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee.

In 1998 he was charged with cocaine and marijuana possession but managed to skip out on jail time by making a plea deal.

Three years later, Renfro made headlines again, this time in Florida, when he was charged with trying to steal a yacht in Fort Lauderdale.

I believe his family still has a business here in Knoxville --Renfro Interiors. I can't imagine the grief they must feel.

Update: Here is a round-up of blog posts and news stories on the Knoxville born actor.