In a stunning breakthrough, a group of Tennessee high school students have successfully cracked the infamous cold case of the “Redhead Murders” from the 1980s. Up to 14 bodies of young, White women with red or reddish hair were found dumped along highways in Tennessee, Kentucky, and neighboring states between 1983 and 1985. Despite the creation of a multi-state law enforcement task force, the investigation hit a dead end and the case seemed unsolvable. However, in 2018, 20 students from Elizabethton High School connected at least six of the victims to a man they dubbed the “Bible Belt Strangler” for a class project.
The identification of one of the victims, Tina McKenney-Farmer, became a crucial turning point in the investigation. McKenney-Farmer was positively identified through fingerprinting and was linked to convicted felon Jerry Johns, who had died in a Kentucky prison three years earlier. Sociology and history teacher Alex Campbell, who assigned the project to his students, praised their dedication and empathy for the victims. The students referred to the victims as their “six sisters” and shared their findings in a podcast called Murder 101.
Law enforcement and prosecutors have solidified Johns as the main suspect in the “Redhead Murders,” despite his death in 2015. The evidence presented to a grand jury would have resulted in an indictment on first-degree murder for McKenney-Farmer’s death if Johns were still alive. While the case has not ended in prosecution, District Attorney General Jared Effler expressed satisfaction that the investigation provided long-awaited answers for McKenney-Farmer’s family. TBI Director David Rausch emphasized the importance of never giving up on unsolved cases and providing hope for other families awaiting answers.
The breakthrough in the “Redhead Murders” case highlights the impact of technology and the dedication of the Tennessee high school students. Their efforts have shed light on a decades-old mystery, bringing closure to the victims’ families and demonstrating the power of investigative work.
