East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers
HOTLINE: 865-215-7165

12-Years Ago and Needing Answers
March 28, 2022

Twelve-years ago today, the Knoxville Police responded to a call of shots fired in Lonsdale Homes. Jamie Fenner, 23 had been shot multiple times at about 12:40 am on March 28, 2010 while waiting to meet friends in Lot D near the intersection of Pascal Drive and Goins Street.

Fenner had suffered at least one gunshot wound to his head and was taken to UTMC where he later died.

Knoxville Police interviewed several people since Fenner’s murder but are still waiting for the right person to come forward with the information they need to close this case. His family is asking anyone with information to come forward and give them the closure they desperately need.

If you have any information concerning the murder of Jamie Fenner you can REMAIN ANONYMOUS when you submit a tip through East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165, Text **TIPS, via the App P3 TIPS, or online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org. Your tip, no matter how big or small may be just what the investigators are looking for and if your tip leads to an arrest you can be eligible for a CASH reward.

Kids Playing Around Mead's Quarry on September 13, 1969 Discover Burned-out Car
February 27, 2022

After receiving a call around 2:30 pm on September 13, 1969 about a burned-out car Knoxville Police arrived on scene to begin their investigation. Though much information was developed the case remains unsolved. It is the hope of Mr. Hubert Lee Johnson’s daughter that with the help of East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers the murder of her father and Mr. Murel Mitchell Marie can finally be solved.

Johnson, 45 of Strawberry Plains left Bob’s Auto Service on Chapman Hwy on Friday, September 12th where he worked as a mechanic along with his two sons. While at work he got into an argument with his sons and left work without them. They called their mother, Mary Johnson, to pick them up. While Mrs. Johnson was on her way to pick up their sons she saw her husband drive by in their yellow 1966 Pontiac, heading south on Chapman Hwy at around 5:30 pm, that was the last time she saw her husband.

Later that evening it was reported that Johnson and Marie, 61 were drinking in Bunch’s Tavern on Gay Street and left there around 11:30 pm heading to North Gay Café for a bite. There is no report of them being seen again until the next afternoon when they were discovered at the quarry.

At one time Marie had been a resident and manager at the Dunbar Hotel on Gay Street and most recently had been in the Mountain Home Veteran’s Hospital in Johnson City. He was released from the hospital on September 10, 1969 returning to Knoxville.

Investigators found a Fairfax watch was found on the car’s floorboard.

When the investigation began the identity of Johnson and Marie were unknown. Johnson’s identity was the first to be confirmed through the car’s registration and dental information provided by Mrs. Johnson and Johnson’s dentist. The second person was later identified as Marie after investigators began the work on identifying the owner of the watch; Mrs. Johnson said her husband did not wear a watch so they knew it did not belong to him. Investigators located a local jeweler from Gay Jewelry who identified the watch and the repair marks as a watch he had worked on as recently as September 12th and that it belonged to Marie. The ownership of the watch was confirmed by Marie’s brother, Ott Marie of Dandridge who recognized it as one his brother wore.   

Though the medical examiner was unable to conduct an autopsy due to the condition of the bodies he was able to find that Marie had what appeared to be an old gun shot wound to his abdomen, later confirmed to have occurred in 1966 and he found a copper-plated bullet in the base of Marie’s skull. The M.E. ruled Marie’s cause of death as a gunshot wound. He was unable to make the same ruling in Johnson’s death as he could not perform an autopsy.

There remains a lot of unanswered questions, to include, who killed Hubert Johnson and Murel Marie and why? Who did the light green dress shirt belong to?

Though more than 50 years have passed the family would still like answers and are hopeful that with time those who may still be around and who have answers will come forward to provide the family with some peace. If you have any information regarding this crime or any crime you can REMAIN ANONYMOUS and submit a tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers. There are 3 ways to submit a tip and each way provides the tipster with 100% anonymity. Call 865-215-7165, go online to www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org, use our free mobile app, P3 TIPS, or text **TIPS. Your tip may = a CASH reward.

Reward Increased in Janaria Muhammad’s Murder
February 16, 2022

One year ago, on February 16, 2021, Janaria Muhammad, 15 was shot outside of her home on Selma Ave. One year later, despite continued efforts by the Knoxville Police Deptartment, an arrest has yet to come in the murder of Janaria, who would have turned 16 this past November.  

 At around 7:35 pm on that fateful night, KPD responded to 2561 Selma Ave, where Janaria was found behind her house with a gunshot wound. KPD Officer Gordon Johnson was the first to arrive and attempted CPR until EMS arrived and transported her to the UT Medical Center, where she died a short time later.  

 It is believed that the occupants of a blacked-out car shot Janaria before fleeing the scene.  

 Investigators are still pursuing active leads in Janaria’s murder and continue to seek any information from the public that could assist in that investigation. If you know something regarding Janaria Muhammad’s murder contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers via phone at 865-215-7165, online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org, using the P3 TIPS app, or text **TIPS. The reward for information in Janaria’s murder was recently increased to up to $3,000. Remain Anonymous and Submit a Tip today.

1-Year Anniversary and Still No Answers
February 14, 2022

Today, February 14, 2022 marks the 1-year anniversary of the murder of Brian Hicks. On February 14, 2021 the Knoxville Police responded to a 9-1-1 call about a burglary in progress on Daylily Drive in Montgomery Village. After entering the apartment officers found Brian Hicks with a gunshot wound.

Brian left behind two grieving parents and children. Sadly, his mom passed away a few short months later, never knowing who killed her son. One year later and the family is still searching for answers.

Reward Increased to $5,000 on 1-Year Anniversary of Double Homicide
January 18, 2022

Early Monday morning on January 18, 2021 Knoxville Police Officers responded to the Mag Lounge on E. Magnolia Av where they found one gunshot victim who was transported to UTMC where he was pronounced dead and alerted of a second gunshot victim who was transported by a private vehicle to Fort Sanders Medical, where he too was pronounced dead.

Jonah Caldwell (25) left behind a mother, sister and grandparents. Marquis Nolan (23) left behind 2 children, parents, and siblings. Both families and their friends are grieving the loss of these two young men. As they face the first anniversary of their murders they are asking anyone with information to come forward, submit a tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers by calling 865-215-7165, going online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org, or via the P3 TIPS app. Anyone submitting a tip through East TN Valley Crime Stoppers will REMAIN 100% ANONYMOUS and if your information leads to an arrest you may be eligible for a CASH reward of up to $5,000 in this double homicide.

Police say a lot of people were at the Mag Lounge that night and that all they need is someone to come forward with what they know or to send them any pictures or videos taken inside or outside of Mag Lounge on the night of January 17, 2021 into the early morning hours of January 18, 2021. Police believe the suspect may be in the Detroit, MI area and travelling back and forth between Knoxville and Detroit. 

One-Year and Still Seeking Information
January 07, 2022

One year ago, on January 6, 2021 Harry Upshaw, 44 was found by Knoxville Police at the corner of Fuller Avenue and Wilder Place suffering from a gunshot wound. Harry was transported to UTMC where he was pronounced deceased.

Harry left behind his parents, children and siblings to mourn his loss. As his family faces the 1-year anniversary of his murder they and Knoxville Police Investigators are asking the community to come forward with any information you may have concerning his murder. No piece of information is too small, REMAIN ANONYMOUS and submit a tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165, online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org, or via the P3 TIPS app. If your tip leads to an arrest you may be eligible for a CASH reward.

RICO Charge and Murder
January 02, 2022

Days before his trial on the first ever RICO (Racketeer Influence Corrupt Organization) trial in Tennessee Abraham “Brickz” Owens, 35 was murdered in Northwest Knoxville on Peltier Road.

In July 2016 Owens and multiple defendants were indicted in a scheme to distribute heroin as a member of the Mafia Insane Vice Lords gang, which is based in Knox County, but has ties to Chicago. They were set to go to trial on October 16, 2017 for selling 150 grams of heroin within 1000 feet of a school, but on October 10, 2017 Owens was shot multiple times. The trial went on without Owens with the remaining defendants pleading guilty to the RICO charges to possess with intent to sell heroin in a drug free zone.

On October 10, 2017 Owens met his demise. Knoxville Police believe he met with someone, was shot multiple times then took off running down Peltier Road before stopping at a door to ask for help. The homeowner called police and paramedics. Owens was transported to UTMC where he was pronounced deceased upon arrival.

Owens was survived by his parents, siblings and 3 daughter who would like to know who killed their son, brother and father.

If you have any information regarding who killed Abraham “Brickz” Owens REMAIN ANONYMOUS and Submit a Tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers by calling 865-215-7165, going online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org or via the P3 TIPS app. If your tip leads to an arrest you may be eligible for a CASH reward.

One Day Shy of 33rd Birthday
December 19, 2021

Dorian Bluford moved to Knoxville on May 30, 2017 from Houston, TX and by 10 pm he was dead.

After flying into Knoxville, he was picked up by a man he referred to as his “best friend” and headed to Joe’s Crab Shack in Sevierville where he checked in on Facebook.  A few hours later, people around the North Knoxville Greenway heard someone screaming, “He’s stabbing me, he’s stabbing me.” They called 9-1-1 and got into their car to find out what was going on, when they saw a BMW leaving a nearby parking lot. Knoxville Police found Bluford a short time later.

Two-days earlier, Bluford announced to family he was moving to Knoxville and that his “best friend” had bought him a plane ticket and had promised him a car. This same person picked him at the airport in a BMW.

When investigators learned the identity of the “best friend” they went to talk with him, but he had hired a lawyer and had very little to say. Through investigation it was learned that shortly after Bluford was murdered his “best friend” left town, checking into a motel in another city with one guest. According to the “best friend” after dinner Bluford requested to be dropped off at someone else’s home and he was not sure where Bluford went after being dropped off.

Police are hoping that after 4-years somebody is feeling guilty about having knowledge of this murder and that nobody was held accountable, especially now that they can remain anonymous through East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers.

Bluford’s family would like answers to who killed their brother, cousin and uncle.

If you have any information regarding this case REMAIN ANONYMOUS and Submit a Tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers by calling 865-215-7165, going online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org or through the P3 TIPS app. If your tip leads to an arrest you may be eligible for a CASH reward.

Murder of Derrick Perry Jr.
December 12, 2021

On September 19, 2020 at about 2 am Knoxville Police responded to 3623 Lilac Avenue in East Knoxville where they found Derrick Perry Jr., 19 suffering from at least one gunshot wound.

Derrick graduated from Austin-East High School 4 months prior to his murder. He left behind a daughter, mother, and numerous other family and friends.

Derrick’s mother, Toya Johnson said, “Each time a child dies at the hands of a shooter it brings her back to the day Derrick was murdered.”

Knoxville Police Investigators are seeking any information regarding the murder of Derrick Perry Jr. If you have any information regarding his murder you can REMAIN ANONYMOUS and Submit a Tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165, online at www.easttnvalleycrimestoppers.org or via the P3 TIPS app. If your tip leads to an arrest you may be eligible for a CASH reward. 

Shooting Death of Joseph Hines
December 07, 2021

Knoxville Police Investigators are seeking information on the shooting death of Joseph Hines, 27 of Knoxville. KPD responded to a call of an unresponsive man at around 5:25 am on Monday, December 6, 2021 in the area of Juanita Cannon Street.