CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nearly three decades have passed since Felicia Carson was found brutally murdered in her Clarksville home on Jan. 12, 1996.
Police described the crime scene as "especially bloody and violent" — something that would change her two children's lives forever. However, the assailant who investigators said stabbed Carson 72 times has still not been identified.
The month of January marks another year without answers not only in Carson's murder, but five other cold cases out of Clarksville. The oldest unsolved case dates back 32 years ago, while one of the most recent investigations just hit eight years.
Two of the victims were murdered only about a week apart. However, there is no apparent connection. Despite many years gone by, investigators are still working to find information that could help close these cases.
In 2021, the Clarksville-Montgomery County Crime Stoppers Board voted to increase the reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction in unsolved homicide cases. Tipsters could now receive up to $5,000 — five times the previous amount.
Since the start of the Crime Stoppers program, many calls have been received, resulting in thousands of arrests and the recovery of substantial amounts of property.
Below are six cold case homicides that happened in January that detectives are still trying to solve. Anyone with additional information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 931-645-TIPS or click here and leave a tip online.
Jerry Cope
Jerry Cope, also known as "P'Knutts" and the "Blonde Bombshell," was found dead at the Brown Derby Tavern on Jan. 14, 1992. Cope was a prominent member of the LGBTQ community and was known for her smile and many talents.
A friend told police Cope had only worked at the Brown Derby Tavern for about two weekends before she was murdered. Detectives believe the murder happened as Cope was closing the bar.
It's possible that multiple people may have been involved. However, investigators have never been able to identify any suspects.
Howard Batie
Clarksville Police found Howard Batie dead inside his vehicle on Jan. 11, 1995. The vehicle was parked in front of his home at 511 York Street. An autopsy report later showed that Batie had been shot in the back three times.
While little else is known about the incident, one witness did report seeing the shooting. According to police, the witness said the gunman was dressed in black and was driving a light metallic blue Ford, possibly a Tempo.
Felicia Carson
Felicia Carson was found brutally murdered in her home on Hadley Drive on Jan. 12, 1996. Her children had left for school at about 8 a.m. that day, and when they returned home around 3:30 p.m., they saw blood everywhere.
“There was blood on the wall, you know, and the only reason I did not see her that day was because of my brother. He’s the one that found her,” Felicia's daughter, Emily Carson, told News 2 in a May 2021 interview.
Felicia's son went and told a neighbor, who called police. According to investigators the crime scene showed that the interaction between Carson and her attacker had been "especially bloody and violent." An autopsy later revealed she had been stabbed a total of 72 times.
Based on interviews, detectives determined Carson and two friends had gone to the Carpet Lounge on Tiny Town Road the night before she was found dead. One of her friends told police they had dropped Carson off at home at the end of the night.
According to her friends, Carson was well known at the bar, and numerous men approached them and talked to them that night. However, no suspects have been identified in her murder.
Azuria Johnson
Azuria Johnson was found dead at her apartment at 824 Central Avenue on Jan. 6, 1996. Investigators said Johnson had been stabbed multiple times in the chest.
She was found on the kitchen floor with her hands tied behind her back. To this day, no arrests have been made. Little other information is available in her case.
George Dyess
On Jan. 8, 2009, officers responded to a shooting at 3834 Marla Circle, where they found George Dyess with multiple gunshot wounds.
Dyess was taken to an area hospital and later flown to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he died. More than 15 years later, police are continuing to seek information in the case.
James Brown
Just four days into the new year, on Jan. 4, 2016, Clarksville police were called to a shooting at a home on Isaac Drive. There, they found James Brown, also known as "J.L. Bey," dead from a gunshot wound.
Detectives believe that the assailants knocked on the front door of the home just before 8 p.m. Brown came out and could be heard having a conversation with someone before gunshots reportedly erupted.
UNSOLVED TENNESSEE: Find more of the state's cold cases, missing persons, and other mysteries →
The search for any potential suspects is ongoing eight years later. Anyone with any information on the cases listed is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 931-645-TIPS, or click here, and leave a tip online. All tipsters remain anonymous.
from WKRN News 2 https://ift.tt/bfGy5kJ
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