Convicted Rapist Arrested In Home Invasion, Rape of 78-Year-Old East Nashville Woman

NASHVILLE, TN — Metro Police have arrested a convicted rapist and robber for the Thursday morning rape of a 78-year-old East Nashville woman who earlier in the day had given him a glass of water.

Police allege Williams Douglas McElrath, 47, came to the victim’s home in the Trinity Lane-Jones Avenue area this morning and asked if he could mow her lawn. The woman declined and then McElrath asked for some water. The woman let McElrath in for a drink and then asked him to leave as she was walking her grandchildren to school.

Police believe that while she was gone, McElrath broke into the home through a rear window. The victim said when she returned, McElrath was inside, attacked her and raped her. Soon thereafter, friends of the victim knocked on the front door and McElrath fled through the back door.

The victim was transported to General Hospital.

Shortly after the police were called, East Precinct Sergeant John Campbell saw McElrath walking on Trinity Lane. McElrath was stopped, as he matched the description of the suspect, but officers did not have enough evidence to arrest him at that time and he was released. Ultimately, the victim identified McElrath from a photo lineup. He was arrested without incident on 16th Avenue North and charged with aggravated rape.

McElrath is on the sex offender registry for a 1994 rape conviction. He was also convicted of aggravated burglary and multiple robbery counts in the 1990s.

Image via Metro Nashville Police