Latest news with #LonelyBones:StoriesoftheForgottenDead
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Police seek help to solve 2023 murder of Chris Hill in West Knoxville
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Knoxville Police Department is asking for information that could help solve a 2023 murder case to come forward. Officers responded to 218 E. Depot Avenue on December 13, 2023, where they found 51-year-old Chris Hill unresponsive. He had been shot multiple times and died at the scene. Babalu on Gay Street closing for the second time Nearly a year and a half later, no arrests have been made in the case. During the investigation, detectives determined that the morning of the shooting, a gray Toyota 4Runner was stolen from outside a West Knoxville home after it was left running. Later that day, Hill was working as a plumber on Boright Drive. 'Surveillance video revealed that there was a Toyota 4Runner that appeared to be driving, circulating through the neighborhood, watching the work truck, and then ultimately followed him down onto Depot Avenue,' Scott Erland with KPD said. 'When Mr. Hill got out of his truck, an individual got out of that 4Runner and shot Chris Hill multiple times.' $2,000 reward offered for information in 2023 West Knoxville fatal shooting The 4Runner was later found abandoned. Investigators are still working to find out why the shooting happened. 'This was, by all appearances, a targeted shooting, but we don't really totally know why that was the case, why Chris Hill would have been targeted,' Erland said. Now investigators are turning to the public. Former Knoxville Police Chief Phil Keith said no piece of information is too small. 'Most cases that we solve are dependent on citizen input, citizen witnesses, and no one should ever think that because they know very little it may not help, because it's like a big jigsaw puzzle,' Keith explained. He said keeping the case in the public eye is also important, because sometimes those with information don't realize they have it until later on. 'Any little tidbit of information often leads to a break in the cases, and of course the media. Nationwide the media is a huge player in that role,' he said. Lonely Bones: Stories of the Forgotten Dead Anyone with information that could help investigators is urged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can remain anonymous and could be eligible to receive a reward of up to $2,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Roane County woman still searching for missing sister after father's murder
KINGSTON, Tenn. (WATE) – A Roane County woman is still searching for answers five years after her sister was reported missing and nearly three years after their father was killed. Jessica Groover, who goes by Brooke, was last seen in October of 2019. Weeks later Beverly Groover, Brooke's sister, reported her missing. 'We knew when she didn't show up for Thanksgiving or Christmas that she would never not come and see dad. Dad and her were very close. We were daddy's girls,' Beverly Groover said. The two sisters were 5 years apart. Beverly Groover was the oldest. Savannah Grace Copeland Act to increase funds for child advocacy passes TN House, Senate 'We had the best childhood, riding our bikes, going to the lake with our mom, our dad traveled a lot, he was a truck driver, but we had great times,' Beverly Groover said. Their father, Steve Groover, hired a private investigator in the beginning. He was determined to find his daughter, however, that search was cut short. Steve Groover and Cindy Scruggs were killed in 2022. Brooke Groover's ex-boyfriend Lonnie Wright was convicted in their deaths and is serving a 33-year sentence. Chief Deputy Tim Phillips with the Roane County Sheriff's Office called Wright a person of interest in Brooke's missing person case. 'He's a person of interest, he's not the easiest person he's really familiar with the criminal justice system and he's hard to deal with,' Phillips said. Now, years after her sister's disappearance and her father's death, Beverly Groover's goal remains the same: to find her younger sister. 'I don't know if it's harder to not know or to know that she's gone,' Beverly Groover said. 'I feel like she's gone and it's a matter of finding her.' Six Sevier County restaurants named among top family friendly restaurants in U.S. The Roane County Sheriff's Office shares that same goal. Phillips told 6 News Brooke Groover's Missing Person File sits on the detective's desk as they continue to vet tips. 'It's personal. Somebody's loved one, like in this case, is a missing persons we want to know the details,' Phillips said. 'We want to know what happened.' Beverly Groover said she believes someone out there knows something that could be the missing piece. 'I'm begging you, please, if you do know something please reach out,' Beverly said. 'My family needs closure. We really really would like to find her and know what happened.' Lonely Bones: Stories of the Forgotten Dead Anyone who has any information that could help the Roane County Sheriff's Office in Brooke Groover's missing person case is asked to call 865-717-4700. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-03-2025
- Yahoo
Human Remains identified as missing Scott County man
SCOTT COUNTY, Tenn. (WATE) — Human remains have been identified as William 'Will' Cross of Scott County, the Scott County Sheriff's Office announced. Cross was reported missing on May 18, 2018. On October 14, 2023, human remains were found. On Friday, SCSO announced that these remains had been identified as Cross. Volunteers begin restoring historic Newport cemetery, uncovering 67 graves 6 News previously reported that Cross was dropped off in Whitley City, Kentucky in 2018 when he was 29 years old. 'William was talking on his cell to a family member on Friday, May 18th around midnight, stating he was walking in the woods. The call was disconnected and no one has heard or seen from him since,' reports said. Authorities say nearly 400 people go missing in Tennessee each year. That's five people for every 100,000. Check this list of people missing from East Tennessee to see if you can help locate someone. Lonely Bones: Stories of the Forgotten Dead After the remains were identified, SCSO posted, 'Mr. Cross' family has been notified and has requested privacy during this difficult time. We ask that the community keep the family, friends, and all those involved in your thoughts and prayers.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Yahoo
Four years later, Knoxville woman continues effort to find her brother's killer
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — A sister is searching for answers in her brother's cold case four years after he was shot and killed. On March 18, 2021 the Knoxville Police Department responded to the 2900 block of Brooks Avenue. KPD found Wayne Humphrey inside a home with a gunshot wound. 'He was murdered right in his front yard, he had just gotten off work,' Heather Philion, Humphrey's sister said. 'I know someone knows something and they're terrified and I would be terrified too.' Anything that they have, anyone who saw something, heard something.' Wayne Humphrey known for his smile and big heart. In 2022, his friend told 6 News that Humphry was a kind sweet-hearted person who would give you the shirt off this back. Teens apprehended at Foothills Mall after allegedly stealing vehicle 'He was always busy, he always made friends, always just out and about,' Philion said. 'The smile on that boy's face.' Philion learning the news her brother was killed from a phone call. 'My kids received the phone call, my children,' Philion said. 'My children were the one's that had to me up off of the coach and say you need to call your mom. I called my mom and all I heard was the guttural scream on the phone, your brother is dead.' Knoxville man accused of threatening judge on 911 calls Four years later, the case remains unsolved. Previously, investigators said a person was seen driving away from the scene on a motorcycle with a child on the back. 'Just like any other person that has an unsolved crime, don't forget because there is someone out there that,' Philion said. 'There are hearts that are breaking and there are families that are destroyed by this. This is the family, this is what we were.' Humphrey was 41 years old. Lonely Bones: Stories of the Forgotten Dead The Knoxville Police Department is asking anyone with new information and evidence to reach out to the East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can remain anonymous. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Number of unclaimed remains at Knox County forensic center climbs above 425
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Every year, the remains of some people who die in East Tennessee go to the Knox County Regional Forensic Center and end up unclaimed. While the number of new additions to the list of unclaimed individuals was fewer in 2024 than it was in 2023, the total number of names on that list has climbed to more than 425. In 2024, there were 36 people whose remains were unclaimed at the Knox County Regional Forensic Center. This was the third year that the number of unclaimed individuals has declined, with 2023 having 44 unclaimed remains cases. A spokesperson for the forensic center explained that the center saw a decline in cases overall last year. Lucille, giraffe born at Zoo Knoxville in 2001, has died Among those who were unclaimed, four were stillborn or newborn infants. Only one other person on the list was under the age of 50. As of February 27, 2025, there are 435 people listed on the forensic center's unclaimed remains list. Although it is difficult to know the exact number of people whose remains are unclaimed after they die, the Knox County Regional Forensic Center maintains a list of their unclaimed remains cases. These cases specifically involve individuals whose deaths were sudden, unnatural, unexpected, unexplained, or that require further investigation. The forensic center's spokesperson shared that approximately one-third of their unclaimed cases died because of an overdose, and there was a significant decrease in overdose deaths in 2024. While the final number of overdose deaths is not available yet, the Knox County District Attorney's suspected overdose dashboard estimates that there were 301 suspected overdose deaths in 2024, and 485 suspected overdose deaths in 2023. Sevier County woman still missing after 2010 house fire While many on the unclaimed list may have died as the result of an overdose, there can be a number of reasons someone may be unclaimed. Some may have no remaining family to claim them, had complicated family ties, or their loved ones may not have had the monetary means to claim them. After a person's death, Tennessee law requires institutions and authorities to immediately notify the person's next of kin or another relative, if one is known, and gives a time frame that the body must be held for. At the forensic center, if a person's next of kin cannot be found or declines to make arrangements for them within a certain time frame, they become unclaimed, or an indigent under legal terms. A majority of these individuals are cremated and interred at the a mausoleum at Eastview Memorial Gardens in Strawberry Plains, but some qualify to be donated to the University of Tennessee's Forensic Anthropological Research Facility. In some cases, family members or friends may come forward later to claim them, in which case the person's name is removed from the forensic center's list. Lonely Bones: Stories of the Forgotten Dead It is also important to note that when someone is unclaimed at the forensic center, the center searches their name in the Veterans Affairs Administration. If it is determined that an unclaimed individual is a veteran and qualified for burial rights, the forensic center works with Berry Funeral Home and the Dignity Memorial Unclaimed Veteran Burial Program to provide a memorial service for them. Currently, there are 58 unclaimed veterans in the forensic center's list, including one, SGT Billy Sharbono, who died in January 2024. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
