Tennessee soldier missing from New York base found shot dead in New Jersey; fellow soldier arrested

BYRAM, N.J. (WREG/AP) -- Authorities are holding a U.S. Army soldier in the death of a fellow soldier from Tennessee who was found shot to death in New Jersey after he was missing from a base in upstate New York.

Authorities found the body of 20-year-old Cpl. Hayden Harris in a wooded area of Byram Township on Saturday. Harris was from Guys, Tennessee.

The Army says Harris was last seen on Thursday night after he headed from Fort Drum, N.Y., to Watertown, N.Y., for a "vehicle transaction." First Assistant Sussex County Prosecutor Gregory Mueller said Harris was meeting fellow soldier, 23-year-old Jamaal Mellish, for “some type of vehicle exchange.” Mueller says authorities believe Mellish abducted Harris and killed him.

Mellish was held in New York and charges were pending.

Harris was promoted from specialist to corporal following his death.

Harris's body was discovered Saturday when Byram firefighters noticed personal belongings near a cul-de-sac, including documents and a pair of shoes, and blood, Syracuse.com reports. Mellish was expected to be charged with murder, according to multiple reports.