Initial Information and Scene On June 14, 1992 at approximately 10:16, Charles E. McGhee was found in a remote area of North Knox County in his pick-up truck dead of gunshots to the head and neck. He was driving an older model red and white Chevrolet pick-up, which was parked on Bull Run Valley Road near Neff Road. Shortly before McGhee’s body was found, a witness observed two white males standing next to a small car similar to a Ford Pinto parked in front of McGhee’s truck.
Robbery was ruled out as a motive for murder because there is no indication that anything was taken from the victim. Detectives learned through interviews with family members that they were in the area where the victim was discovered, but reportedly had not seen McGhee for hours. He was scheduled to work the night shift at a tire store in Clinton, but never made it.
Victim
Charles E. McGhee was a 47 year old white male who lived at Route #6, Box 313 Fowler Street in Clinton, Tennessee. He lived there with his wife, Linda, and other family members. Johnny Kennedy, the victim’s step-son lived in a mobile home behind the McGhee house. He had no known enemies and frequented the Briceville, Tennessee area.
On July 20, 1985 the burned body of Betty Joyce Brown,aka Simmons, was found in the woods at 3805 Maloney Road in South Knox County. The 29 year old Austin-East graduate had been stabbed before being burned. Ms. Brown was last seen on July 14, 1985 between midnight and 1:00am in front of the Bread Box at Magnolia Ave and Spruce Street. It is believed that Ms. Brown was offered and accepted a ride from an unknown subject. Ms. Brown’s last know address was 2737 Tarleton Ave. Initial investigation indicated that when Ms. Brown’s body was found, she had been dead approximately 1 week. Family members described Ms. Brown as being a “very sweet and loving mother.”
If you have any information please call the Knox County Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Unit at (865)-215-3520/3590 or e-mail coldcase@knoxsheriff.org.