McLean takes own life behind Shelbyville church

The collapsing life of Murfreesboro financier Robert Willard "Bob" McLean came to an abrupt end early Tuesday when he apparently shot himself to death behind First Christian Church in Shelbyville.

"We got a call early this morning that there was a deceased person behind First Christian Church," Detective Lt. Pat Mathis of the Shelbyville Police Department said. "We got there and found a white male identified as Bob McLean.

"He apparently suffered one apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head from a revolver," Mathis said. Police Chief Austin Swing further described the gun as a .38 pistol.

The body of McLean, 60, was discovered by the church's pastor, the Rev. Bryan Elliott, and office staff when they arrived, investigators said. Officers were uncertain how long McLean had been there "but it was after 11 p.m. last night," Mathis said. "That was the last time anyone had heard from him."

McLean had driven to the church in a car owned by his brother, Tom McLean of Shelbyville, police said. He was found lying in a grassy area behind the church near the rear parking lot and entrance.

A note was found inside the vehicle.

"This is by my own hand. No one else was involved. Please call Tom McLean and David Feldhaus," the note read. It was signed "Robert W. McLean."

Feldhaus, a funeral director, operates Feldhaus Memorial Chapel.

"There is no evidence supporting any foul play," Mathis said.

McLean had largely disappeared from the public eye since lawsuits seeking over $50 million were filed against him by investors earlier this year.

One of the suits, seeking $8.5 million, was filed on behalf of Ron Vannatta of Shelbyville and his family, who have strong ties to First Christian Church, and the church's scholarship fund.

The Vannatta Family Scholarship Fund, which had been administered by McLean, was set up to benefit children of the church.

McLean and an associate, Mark S. Riddle of Rutherford County, allegedly promised investors guaranteed rates of return and periodic payments of interest and principal. The payments stopped in April.

A hearing in his involuntary bankruptcy case had been scheduled for today and a public auction of McLean's personal belongings was set Oct. 20.

The U.S. Bankruptcy Court is selling virtually all McLean's assets, including his five homes and an office in Murfreesboro. The assets will be sold to pay court costs and creditors, with the rest going to investors.

The court has estimated the total value of his real estate at almost $4 million, but all of the property is mortgaged, meaning much of the money will go to lenders.

The 2004 movie "Our Very Own," about writer / director / producer Cameron Watson's high school years in Shelbyville during the mid-1970s, was largely funded by McLean.

"Cam has called (the movie) a love letter to Shelbyville," McLean said at the time. "I would certainly put my signature with his about that."

"All of our hearts are shattered here at GADA Films, including the entire cast and crew, upon learning of the death of our friend and colleague, Bob McLean," Watson wrote in an e-mail to the Times-Gazette.

"Bob believed in us and in our dream from the beginning and all the way through to the end. He never faltered. We send our profoundly felt sympathies to the entire McLean family and hope and pray for healing and peace for everyone."

McLean had also contributed $1.5 million to Middle Tennessee State University's School of Music in 2003 for the purchase of 54 Steinway pianos. The music school was renamed in his honor. He also was on the advisory board of MTSU's Jennings A. Jones School of Business.

Other donations had been made to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to buy "Mother" Maybelle Carter's 1928 Gibson guitar and Bill Monroe's 1923 Gibson mandolin.

At least seven groups of investors were suing the philanthropist, who pledged millions to Middle Tennessee State University, the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Schermerhorn Center. The suits claimed he owed them more than $15 million.

MTSU officials expressed condolences to the family of McLean, a 1972 graduate of the school.

"The university is certainly saddened by the recent news of Mr. McLean's death. We extend our deepest sympathies to his family," university president Sidney A. McPhee said. "The death of an MTSU alumnus is always a loss to the university family."

McLean was admitted to the Middle Tennessee Mental Health Institute in July. Details of his condition at the time were not known.

Nashville attorney Steven Riley, who represents one of the investors suing McLean, described McLean's business at the most recent hearing in July as a Ponzi scheme, where early investors are paid off with money put up by later ones.

Liz Thiels, a spokeswoman for the Country Music Hall of Fame, said the museum could not comment on the allegations facing McLean, but was saddened to learn of his death.

"We would like to extend our most heartfelt sympathies to his family," the museum said in a statement. "Mr. McLean was a big supporter of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He will be deeply missed."

Associated Press reports contributed to this story.