Investigations – Cold Case – Homicide – Joseph Weir

Joseph Weir

On November 29, 1981, 59-year-old Joseph Weir, prominent retired Knoxville hairdresser and owner of the downtown gay club Europa, was found stabbed to death. His body was found just after 9 a.m. behind his home at 7525 Twining Drive in West Knox County by 38-year-old yard worker Willie Sims of Maryville. There was a blood trail leading from an upstairs dining room, down some stairs, and outside the carport. Most of the blood was outside, leading investigators to believe Weir was stabbed both inside and outside the house. There were no signs of forced entry into his house, and his wounds indicated that he fought with his assailant. Weir’s Cadillac, wallet, credit cards, and some blank checks were missing, but many valuable items inside the house were undisturbed, indicating that a planned robbery was not the motive.

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.