The Music Row attorney missing since Nov. 19 has surfaced in Arizona, where he checked into a medical facility for psychological evaluation, Metro Police said in a statement Thursday.
Bill Grothe was reported missing by his wife, Jill Grothe, on Nov. 19. For weeks Police searched the Cumberland River, where he was last seen at Shelby Park.
Eventually, however, the facts pointed to Grothe allegedly faking his own death and fleeing the state. Police said Grothe checked into a motel in Montana in the days after his disappearance.
Police also said Grothe called the Nashville Emergency Communications Center claiming to be the man who had killed Bill Grothe.
Detectives confirmed a report from Grothe’s family that the 62-year-old attorney was admitted overnight on Wednesday to the medical facility. Detective Hugh Coleman told The City Paper on Thursday that Grothe had possibly faked his death because of a $1 million life insurance policy or because he was troubled emotionally.
Shortly after Grothe was reported missing, police found his car parked in Shelby Park. They later found some of his belongings in a grocery bag in front of a home in East Nashville. His leather jacket, wallet and baseball cap were later found along the river.
Police spokesman Don Aaron said Grothe could be charged with filing a false report as a result of the phone call he allegedly made to the communications center. Police could seek restitution for the resources spent on his search, which included a police helicopter, a K-9 search and Office of Emergency Management divers.
No charges have been filed against Grothe, although police said charges are expected in the coming days.