Rutherford County DSS reports death of food-nutrition worker; investigation pending

The Rutherford County Department of Social Services reported at its May 29 meeting that food-nutrition employee Jatana Genzi, 42, was reported missing and later located deceased in Texas.

Miss Bridal (S6), speaking for the department, described the case as "very puzzling," saying Genzi signed out early in the day and did not return. Bridal said the sheriff’s department investigated, tracked Genzi’s movements across multiple states and that an autopsy is pending. "She signed out at 02:41 day, and she just never returned until she passed away in Texas hitting a bridge on the eleventh," Bridal said.

Bridal said staff were offered employee-assistance support, the department held a small memorial gathering and planned a memorial plaque in an outdoor patio area. Board members described the loss as traumatic to staff and said leadership tried to give employees time to grieve.

The board did not discuss investigative details beyond what Bridal reported; Bridal said she did not know whether the open investigation would yield a public autopsy result to be shared with the county. The department asked for privacy for Genzi’s family while the investigation proceeds.