safety
‘I just smelled it’: Witness says he smelled odor for weeks before body found in donation box
Summary by The Nashville Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Luke Johnson , WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 21, 2026
· 2 min read
ODESSA, Texas ( KOSA /Gray News) - Odessa police are working to identify a man found dead inside a clothes donation box last Friday at 8th Street and Coleman Avenue. Investigators say no signs of foul play were found. An autopsy has been ordered. Neighbor noticed odor weeks before discovery A nei...
Story provenance No corrections
Summary created by The Nashville Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed Original reporting Luke Johnson, WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) Original story Read at the source Source published Jul 21, 2026 Indexed here Jul 21, 2026 AI assistance Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text Prepublication human review No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples
Every story comes with a passport. How we work · Corrections log
Key takeaway Neighbor noticed odor weeks before discovery A neighbor who lives on Coleman Avenue said he had smelled a strong odor for weeks before police arrived.
Why this matters in The Nashville
In Nashville, the discovery of a body in a donation box in Odessa, Texas, raises questions about the oversight of similar containers in our own community. With numerous donation boxes scattered throughout the city, it's crucial for local authorities and the companies that own these boxes to ensure they are regularly checked and maintained. The fact that a strong odor was noticeable for weeks before the body was found in Odessa is particularly concerning, as it suggests a lack of monitoring and potential health hazards. As Nashville continues to grow and develop, it's essential that we prioritize public safety and consider implementing measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring here. This could include increasing the frequency of donation box collections or implementing better odor-control measures. By learning from this tragic event, Nashville can take proactive steps to protect its residents and maintain a safe and healthy environment.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 21, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ODESSA, Texas ( KOSA /Gray News) - Odessa police are working to identify a man found dead inside a clothes donation box last Friday at 8th Street and Coleman Avenue. Investigators say no signs of foul play were found. An autopsy has been ordered. Neighbor noticed odor weeks before discovery A nei...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 21, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Luke Johnson at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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