An iconic East Tennessee moonshiner has been found dead in his home, shortly before he was set to report to prison. Officials with knowledge of the investigation believe the case is suicide.
Marvin 'Popcorn' Sutton was known nationally for the illegal manufacture of corn whiskey.
The 61 year old is known across the country and world for moonshine.
Monday, the man who once said "you can't sell it if you can't advertise it" was remembered at the Checkerboard Market and Deli.
The gas station, just a mile or so down the road from his house is home to a autographed "Popcorn" Sutton clock that the legendary spirit maker hung on the wall.
They say Sutton wanted to be known for his moonshine and by most accounts, he succeeded.
"He had all kinds of stuff made with his picture on it, t-shirts, everything. He wanted people to know who he was, where you got that good liquor, it came from Popcorn," Libby Keller, who helps out at the market and knew Sutton, said.
Monday afternoon, Cocke County Sheriff's deputies and the county coroner found Sutton dead at his home. The case is on-going, but officials with knowledge of the investigation call it suicide.
Sutton was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to making moonshine and having weapons while on probation. He was scheduled to start serving that sentence in just a few days.
"I think the only fear Popcorn had about going to prison was to die in prison, he was sick," Keller said.
He was out on bond at the time of his death, according to deputies.
"He will always be known as Tennessee's greatest moonshiner, for one thing," Keller said. "I know a lot of people would probably think that's something you wouldn't want to be remembered by, but Popcorn would."
The online tributes are starting to flood the internet as well.
An unlikely combination, Sutton was known for living a simple life doing what he knew best. Technology is paying homage: on Facebook one group is nearly 5,000 members strong urging the world to "Leave Popcorn Sutton Alone".
Some suggest Popcorn will be on the minds of many fans at this weekend's NASCAR race at Bristol.
WBIR.com | Knoxville, TN | Update: Parrotsville remembers legendary moonshine mogul
Marvin 'Popcorn' Sutton was known nationally for the illegal manufacture of corn whiskey.
The 61 year old is known across the country and world for moonshine.
Monday, the man who once said "you can't sell it if you can't advertise it" was remembered at the Checkerboard Market and Deli.
The gas station, just a mile or so down the road from his house is home to a autographed "Popcorn" Sutton clock that the legendary spirit maker hung on the wall.
They say Sutton wanted to be known for his moonshine and by most accounts, he succeeded.
"He had all kinds of stuff made with his picture on it, t-shirts, everything. He wanted people to know who he was, where you got that good liquor, it came from Popcorn," Libby Keller, who helps out at the market and knew Sutton, said.
Monday afternoon, Cocke County Sheriff's deputies and the county coroner found Sutton dead at his home. The case is on-going, but officials with knowledge of the investigation call it suicide.
Sutton was sentenced to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty to making moonshine and having weapons while on probation. He was scheduled to start serving that sentence in just a few days.
"I think the only fear Popcorn had about going to prison was to die in prison, he was sick," Keller said.
He was out on bond at the time of his death, according to deputies.
"He will always be known as Tennessee's greatest moonshiner, for one thing," Keller said. "I know a lot of people would probably think that's something you wouldn't want to be remembered by, but Popcorn would."
The online tributes are starting to flood the internet as well.
An unlikely combination, Sutton was known for living a simple life doing what he knew best. Technology is paying homage: on Facebook one group is nearly 5,000 members strong urging the world to "Leave Popcorn Sutton Alone".
Some suggest Popcorn will be on the minds of many fans at this weekend's NASCAR race at Bristol.
WBIR.com | Knoxville, TN | Update: Parrotsville remembers legendary moonshine mogul