MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday morning that investigators have successfully identified a homicide victim from the unsolved 1970s murder case and are appealing to the public for help to bring the killer to justice.

At 10:00 a.m., Sheriff’s Office officials held a press conference at their headquarters, 940 New Salem Highway, Murfreesboro, to unveil the victim’s identity after decades of investigation... That was Detective Sgt. Richard Brinkley. The victim was identified through DNA samples as Jesse Lee Williamson, born in 1926.

Decades-Long Mystery Resolved — Partially: While the identity of the victim marks a major breakthrough, investigators emphasized that the case is far from closed. The agency is asking anyone who may have information—no matter how small—to come forward and assist in reconstructing what happened.. The Sheriff's Office emphasized that this is a critical milestone in a long-standing investigation, but detectives still need the public’s help to fill in missing pieces and locate those responsible for this murder.

Williamson sustained five gunshot wounds when killed. He was shot in the ear, jaw, chest and shoulder. Detectives also say he was set on fire and received several burns to his left arm and hand, face, head and chest. At the time of his death, he would have been in his early 50's.

What We Know So Far

• The murder dates back to 1978, when the victim was found by a maintenance worker.

• Man found in the Pool Knob Recreation area on J. Percy Priest Lake.

• Officials say the man was shot multiple times and then set on fire and left for dead.

• For years, the victim remained “John Doe,” with no definitive name attached.

• The victim would have been about 52-years-old when killed.

• If he were alive today, he'd be between 99 and 100-years old, depending on the month he was born.

• Through renewed effort, advances in forensic science, and investigative work, officials have finally established the identity of the victim.

• Investigators did not disclose all details at the press conference—some evidence and leads remain under review.

Public Appeal for Information - Authorities are urging anyone with knowledge—no matter how old or seemingly insignificant—to come forward. Tips may include:

• Observations made in the late 1970s in or around Rutherford County

• Memories of individuals who might have been associated with suspicious activity

• Photographs, letters, or personal effects that could relate to the case

• Any hearsay or conversations from older family members or community sources, keep in mind this man would be around 99-years-old if alive today. If you have had any conversations with older acquaintances who discussed criminal activity form their past, please contact the RCSO.

• Information from family or friends that discuss meeting a service member at Percy Priest Lake

Confidential Help Needed - The Sheriff’s Office assures confidentiality for informants and says that even small pieces of evidence could lead to crucial breakthroughs.

Why This Matters - Unsolved homicides leave open wounds in communities and families. Identifying the victim not only restores their name and dignity but also gives law enforcement a stronger foundation to pursue justice. With a name now established, investigators can explore new leads, cross-compare archived reports, and possibly tie the case to known suspects or criminal activity in the region.

WGNS NewsRadio spoke with Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh after the press conference. He noted...

Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Detective Sgt. Richard Brinkley at (615) 904-3045 or email rbrinkley@rcsotn.org.  You can also connect with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 615-898-7777 or submit anonymous tips via their website. Information can also be anonymous given to Crime Stoppers at 615-893-STOP (7867).Information shared with Crimestopper is given anonymously, not even the police know who you are. Plus, if your tip leads to an arrest and conviction, you are eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000. 

Next Steps

• The Sheriff’s Office will continue to follow forensic leads and reexamine old evidence using modern techniques.

• They plan to collaborate with state and federal investigators as needed.

• A tip line and contact portal will be made available for anonymous or direct leads.

• Periodic updates may be released as the investigation develops.

PREVIOUS - SCROLL DOWN TO SEE PRESS CONFERENCE: The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office held press conference on Monday in Murfreesboro to announce the identification of a murder victim from the 1970s. The case revolves around a man who was shot to death and later found dead near Percy Priest Lake.

Investigators also issued a public appeal for information to help solve the decades-old homicide case. The name of the man, previously known as only John Doe, is Jesse Lee Williamson. He served in the U.S. Navy, possibly a Veteran who served during WWII. It appears that he may be from North Carolina. 

FROM THE RCSO: Family members wondered what happened to a relative from North Carolina who disappeared 47 years ago.

The relative was identified as Jessie Lee Williamson, 52, last week after more than 11 years of extensive DNA testing, said Rutherford County Sheriff’s Detective Sgt. Richard Brinkley.

Williamson’s body was found by a maintenance worker Aug. 1, 1978 at Poole Knobs Recreation Area on Jones Road near La Vergne. An autopsy showed he suffered multiple gunshot wounds and severe burns.

“He’s been without a name to us for 47 years,” Brinkley said of Williamson. “We no longer have a John Doe.”

Williamson’s identity allowed Brinkley to give answers to a niece who is in her mid-80s. She told Brinkley her uncle lived in Alabama and visited his family in North Carolina but she hadn’t had contact with him for years. Family members didn’t know his whereabouts.

She gave a DNA sample that led to Williamson’s identification. She was the only surviving family member Brinkley was able to locate. 

“I had mixed feelings,” the niece said after learning about his identity and death. “I am glad to finally know where he was. I am sad my mother and grandmother didn’t know what happened to him.”

She said Williamson served in the U.S. Navy and lived in Alabama.

Sheriff’s detectives and Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Agent, the late Tom Carmouche, investigated the case from 1978 with little evidence.

DNA from the body was submitted for testing by former Detective Steve Kohler in 2014.

Brinkley gave DNA evidence to a family genealogy site in 2020 and to the private DNA lab, Othram in 2021.

“We submitted a piece of his bone and were able to develop a DNA profile,” Brinkley said.

Othram did genealogy research with the DNA and was able to find potential family members.

Brinkley talked with the niece and asked if she would be willing to help by providing DNA samples.

Othram officials notified Brinkley Wednesday of Williamson’s identity that was the sergeant’s major priority since he became involved in the investigation.

“It shows the public that we never quit that we’re always going to keep looking for the answers,” Brinkley said.

He credited Othram for matching the DNA and providing the victim’s name.

Now that the body is identified, Brinkley hopes someone will come forward with information about his death. People who have information are asked to contact Brinkley at 615-904-3045 or rbrinkley@rcsotn.org.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

“We’re always trying to seek justice for victims,” Brinkley said. “We can’t work without the community’s help. It’s very beneficial to law enforcement.”

During the investigation, Kohler, Detective Sgt. Dan Goodwin and Brinkley constantly worked with other families with DNA samples to help identify the body.

In one case, the James Sanders family of Portland, Tenn., contacted the detectives after seeing news reports about the search for Williamson’s identity.

Brother Eddie Sanders, his sister and James Sanders’ children gave DNA samples the detectives submitted to the in January 2015 to the North Texas University DNA lab for testing.

Lab employees notified the detectives six months later the man found in La Vergne was not Sanders. Those samples remained at the lab.

Sheriff Kevin Rambosk of Collier County, Florida, announced in August 2021 the lab matched bone from the body found in Immokalee to Sanders’ DNA submitted by Rutherford County detectives.

“This important development was made possible thanks to DNA technology and the dedication of everyone involved in this investigation,” said Rambosk.

“Without the combined efforts of multiple agencies, Mr. Sanders would still be unidentified after 40 years,” Rambosk said. “Now that our victim has a name, the homicide investigation can continue to be actively worked.”

Brinkley said the detectives believed the Sanders’ family was a good lead to their case. But he was glad Sanders’ body was identified in Florida.

“Our work in conjunction with DNA helped give closure to another family, which was awesome,” Brinkley said. “Inadvertently, it helped solve a case for another law enforcement agency.”