A Sullivan County man facing charges for the 2019 murder of a Kingsport woman has agreed to a plea deal, as confirmed by Kristen Rose, the Assistant District Attorney.

Nathaniel White-Young faced first-degree murder charges following the discovery of 37-year-old Melissa Mingle, who was found unresponsive in her yard on Fordtown Road on October 6, 2019. She passed away a few days later.

After Mingle’s death, White-Young was apprehended by authorities in Hamblen County and arrested. Initially charged with attempted first-degree murder, the charges were elevated to murder upon Mingle’s passing.

Following White-Young’s plea deal acceptance on July 10, the court is charging him with the following:

• 2nd degree murder
• 2 counts of aggravated arson
• 4 counts of tampering with evidence

Rose told News Channel 11 that speculation during the time of Mingle’s death circulated that she was pregnant at the time of her killing, but autopsy results concluded she was not.