Investigations – Cold Case – Homicide – Dennis Gary Miller

Dennis Gary Miller

On April 30, 1994 at 7:30 a.m., officers responded to Parkwest Medical Center in reference to a shooting victim, 43-year-old Dennis Gary Miller. Emergency room staff told officers that Miller’s parents had called 911 because their son was sick. ER personnel found a gunshot would under Miller’s arm. The wound appeared to be several days old. Miller later died while in surgery. Miller was a known drug user and was known to frequent the east side of town. His car window had been shattered.

1985 Homicide of Betty Joyce Brown

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.