Investigations – Cold Case – Homicide – Sharon Yvonne Robinson

Sharon Yvonne Robinson

The body of 32-year-old Sharon Yvonne Robinson was found by a motorcyclist in a ditch line near Patty Road off Asheville Highway on August 9, 1984. Robinson was a known prostitute with a lengthy criminal history and was known to abuse drugs. The body was so badly decayed that some tests were unable to be run. Her time of death was approximately July 18-20, 1984. Detectives believed she may have been raped. Her jeans had been pulled down to her ankles and her tube top was around her neck.

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.