The Murder 101 podcast delves into an intriguing and remarkable story from Elizabethton High School in Tennessee. In 2018, a group of high school students engaged in a class project that ultimately helped identify a potential serial killer responsible for a series of cold cases known as the “Redhead Murders” in the 1980s.
The students focused on six unsolved murders that occurred in Tennessee, Arkansas, or West Virginia, collectively known as the Redhead Murders. Through their investigation, they crafted a profile of the possible killer, dubbing him the “Bible Belt Strangler.” Beyond the commonality of red hair, the victims shared the unfortunate status of being transient or sex workers. The students concluded that these women were targeted by a single individual, likely a truck driver based near Knoxville, who aimed to eliminate what he disapproved of in society. Notably, the victims were not sexually assaulted or tortured before their deaths.
In a press conference, the students presented their findings and even named a suspect—Jerry Johns, a man who had already been convicted of strangling a prostitute in 1985. Astonishingly, Jerry Johns had died in prison in 2015.
Despite the students’ groundbreaking work, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) later declared Johns a suspect without crediting the high school students for their significant contribution. The six murders linked to Johns included Lisa Nichols and five Jane Does. One of the unidentified women, believed by a woman named Elizabeth to be her mother, added a personal and poignant layer to the students’ efforts.
Sociology and history teacher Alex Campbell, who led the Elizabethton High School class, highlighted the unexpected depth of learning that took place. The students developed empathy for the victims, referring to them as “sisters.” The project not only showcased the potential of citizen detectives but also underscored the profound impact of experiential learning in the classroom.
