Life in pictures...

Something I realized about the site is that there aren't any pictures of Johnia -- they've all disappeared as new posts are added. So, I am going to make sure that isn't the case anymore. Johnia was as beautiful on the outside as she was on the inside and, since pictures are partly all we have left of her, I want other people to see her for what she truly was - a beautiful angel living here on this planet.

My mom scanned a lot of pictures for me a few months ago and this was one of my favorites. Truth be told, I don't know who took the picture, or where it was taken, so if you happen to know, please tell me. You can email me directly at kebman@mac.com.

I want to stress to everyone reading this post to have a good look at my sister's picture. Do you see how happy she looks? She was the closest thing to perfect that I've ever known and she honestly made the very most of her time on this earth. She was passionate, compassionate and utterly overflowing with love.

I love you and miss you Johnia. And, believe me, I'm not alone.

Reward mentioned in USA Today

The December 30th copy of USA Today mentions Johnia's case in the state news section. The reward total is $60,000.

If you have any information about this case, please call 865-215-2243 or email confidential@johniaberry.org or homicide@knoxsheriff.org

$60,000 REWARD!

Thanks to a number of private supporters, the Carol Sund Foundation and the state of TN, the reward for the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for the murder of Johnia Berry has grown to $60,000. TN Governor Phil Bredesen announced the state's contribution of $25,000 Wednesday afternoon.

Please click here for the Reward Flier, print it and post it anywhere you think it might help: convenience stores, apartments, bars, truck stops, et cetera.

If you have any information about this case, please call 865-215-2243 or email confidential@johniaberry.org or homicide@knoxsheriff.org

Nancy Grace to profile Johnia's case Thursday

Johnia's case will be profiled on CNN's Nancy Grace Show show this Thursday, the 29th of December. Also, the very kind folks from The Carol Sund/Carrington Foundation have updated their website.

Update: Apparently there was a mistake on the date Johnia's case would be profiled again. Once I find out the correct date, I will post it. - Kelly

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas and thanks to everyone who has kept our family in their thoughts and prayers this Christmas season. We will be spending our time with family over the weekend, but Christmas will never be the same for us without Johnia.

- Johnia's family

Johnia's recipe

Johnia always enjoyed doing things for other people, especially during the Christmas season. One of her favorite things was making lots of creamsicle fudge and sharing it with friends and family. My mom was reminded of this when she received an email from a lady who worked with Johnia at the ETSU Child Care Study Center. Please click here to find Johnia's recipe and read a special note.

In Jason's words...

Jason White, Johnia's fiance, has written a few of his feelings down and would like to share them. Jason was in Michigan at the time of Johnia's murder and found out about it like me - over the phone. There is nothing more devastating than finding out someone you love dearly has left your life, especially the way Johnia was taken. Find out what Jason has to say by clicking here. - Kelly

Joan and Mike Berry on WNOX, Monday afternoon

Joan and Mike Berry will be on the Phil Williams' show tomorrow, December 19th at 3:30pm. The station is 100.3 FM, WNOX.

SecurityOnCampus.org

Security On Campus, Inc. is a non-profit organization working towards safer college campuses. They're highlighting JohniaBerry.org as one of their featured Web sites.

Suspect: Douglas Everett Loveday

I was browsing the Knoxville sheriff's news archives to see what they had published about Johnia's case and found this news release* about the arrest of Douglas Everett Loveday on June 30th, 2005.

A man who was found Wednesday morning near Virtue Road covered in blood has been charged in a separate incident. Twenty-nine year old Douglas Everett Loveday of 912 Campbell Station Road was charged with aggravated burglary and theft. Each charge carries a $20,000 bond. Loveday is accused of breaking into a house on Viking Drive in Knoxville while a female inside slept. He stole a number of items from the house including the woman’s purse and a camera Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. She was not injured during the burglary.

Early Wednesday morning, Loveday was found at the Willow Creek Golf Club covered in blood and confused about his whereabouts. His car was found on Virtue Road with blood in it. Loveday was not injured and the blood is not his.

That last sentence is chilling.

Googling for more information about I found updates at VolunteerTV and WATE-TV. When I read about Loveday I almost picked up the phone and called the sheriff's hotline. He had broken into the house of a sleeping woman. He had killed another woman with a knife. He lived 5.9 miles from Johnia's apartment. His picture matched the composite sketch. It had to be him!

Then I cooled down and realized that this was too easy. Loveday's story had been on the sheriff's Web site for five months. Someone would have figured it out by now. Kelly was supposed to call that night anyway, so I waited to talk to him. After we finished with the Web stuff I said, "By the way, did the sheriff's office ever mention Douglas Loveday?" Kelly said, "Sure, you remember. He's the guy I told you about they found wandering around the golf course. It wasn't him."

One Lesson Learned

There's a mental trap that's easy to fall into when thinking about a crime. I fell into it myself in Johnia's case. One theory about Johnia's murder is that someone was randomly trying doors to see if they were open. I told Kelly early on, "There's no way someone would go to the top of the stairs and strand themselves like that. It's too dangerous." Then when Kelly was on the radio last week a caller did something similar, saying it didn't make any sense for the killer to kill Johnia but leave the roommate as a witness.

Douglas Loveday called 911 to tell them he had been smoking crack and woke up covered in blood. Not all crimes are committed by criminal geniuses. Some people are stupid, insane, or on drugs. Glenn Owen's profile says that Johnia's killer is of a type known as a disorganized killer, who kills in a blitz attack and doesn't make much effort to cover up evidence. Forget all of the Hannibal Lector stuff. The attack on Johnia wasn't a brainy operation. Don't overthink this.

* URLs in the media section of the sheriff's Web site aren't persistent, so that URL may not work in the future.

Glenn Owen's Profile of Johnia Berry's Murderer

In part 3 of his series on Johnia Berry's murder, crime blogger Steve Huff recounts a criminal profile of the case done by Texas investigator Glenn Owen.

---

The killer is a disorganized killer who knew Johnia in some way.
Disorganized killers are usually below average in IQ.
They kill in their own neighborhood.
They usually do not have transportation.
If they work they work low paying jobs.
They have usually been in some type of petty trouble before like theft or criminal mischief.
They usually have had some type of recent tragedy in their life, like death of a parent or divorce.
Disorganized killers are sloppy and not very smart, they leave a lot of evidence.
They get mad and kill.
Unlike organized killers they do not try to hide the body, they just leave them where they kill them.
The killer is a white male between the age of 18 to 23.
He likes to listen to rap music and dresses in baggy pants and wears a baseball caps "They call it sagging".
I think the connection could be with Johnia's work with troubled teens (juvenile delinquents).
I think sex was probably the motive, but Johnia fought and woke the room mate up.

According to an article I read about the case Johnia had been hit on by someone who disturbed her just a few days or weeks prior to her murder...

[This next part covers an incident described in Ellen Mallarnee's Metro Pulse article in which Johnia was menaced in the West Town Mall parking lot by two individuals in a black SUV as she was leaving her seasonal job at Zale's.]

I think the passenger in the vehicle is the same person who was hitting on Johnia [in Owen's opinion] he could be the killer.
The killer suffered a severe laceration to his hand probably caused by his hand slipping down the knife blade because it was wet with blood and slippery.
There was NO forced entry and the murder weapon was knife from the kitchen.
So Johnia knew her killer and let him in.
I do not suspect the room mate because he had defensive wounds to his hands and was stabbed in the face and chest.
He did not recognize the killer.
Doctors and hospitals should be made aware of the injury the killer probably sustained and his physicle description and date of the murder to see if anyone was treated that matches the description and suffered a severe laceration to the hand.
This killer is no stranger to the juvenile justice system...

$42,000 Reward

There is a $42,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Johnia Hope Berry on December 6, 2004. This amount is more than the original posting a few days ago thanks to a $5,000 contribution from WVLT.

Please take a look at the case information and suspect composite on the right for more detail.

If you have any information about this case, please call 865-215-2243 or email confidential@johniaberry.org or homicide@knoxsheriff.org

Worldwide Candle Lighting

The Compassionate Friends Worldwide Lighting is held every year on the second Sunday in December at 7:00pm for one hour local time around the glode, creating a 24-hour wave of light around the world in memory of all children who have died. We encourage you to light a candle wherever you happen to be this Sunday at 7:00pm in memory of the special loved ones lost.

Steve Huff Series on Johnia Berry Murder

Noted crime blogger Steve Huff has written a three part series on Johnia Berry's murder.

A Knoxville Mystery, Part 1
A Knoxville Mystery, Part 2
A Knoxville Mystery, Part 3

I found part 2 especially interesting. Huff dug through online ratings for the apartments where Johnia was killed. Several ratings for the time preceding Johnia's death noted security problems and burglaries. This one was perhaps the most disturbing, since it supports the theory that someone simply walked up the back steps of Johnia's third floor apartment:

SAFETY ALERT: Shared balconies mean that anyone can walk up to your back door and peer in. This happened MANY times. People just come up and stand on your balcony because they are open to the public. THIS SUCKS...

SAFETY ALERT: Warren (aka Crack) House next door. Big problem. Cops every night. Granted, BP can't pick who lives next door. But they could provide roaming security officers at night to prevent cars being broken into and vandalism on their own property from the hoods next door.

Part three contains original photography. Huff's friend, Karns resident Anthony Veach, contributed photos of Brendon Park (where Johnia and her roommate lived) and Warren House apartments (when Johnia's roommate was stabbed he ran out the front door and directly across Rhodora Road to Warren House). While Brendon Park is nice Warren House isn't. Until you visit Warren House or see pictures you can't appreciate how run down it is or why it's nicknamed the Crack House. Many thanks to Huff and Veach for their work, and for permission to use the photos.

Suspects: Zachary Michael Howell

This suspect has been forwarded to the sheriff's tip line.

Several commenters have mentioned Zachary Michael Howell, who is shown on the sheriff's own Web page:

Deputies with the Knox County Sheriff's Office arrested a 19 year-old man for the rape of a 12 year-old girl on March 12, 2005. Zachary Michael Howell of Chartwell Road in Knoxville is charged with rape of a child and his bond is set at $50,000. According to the bond conditions, the suspect is to have no contact with the victim and is to stay off her property. The warrant states that the rape occurred at the suspect’s house.

Howell was on judicial diversion for a previous theft charge. He was also held in contempt of court for non-compliance.

Posted By Media Relations on 04/01/05 at 04:50 PM

For what it's worth, I don't personally think Howell is Johnia Berry's killer. The Knoxville sheriff's office arrested the guy in April of 2005 for rape. Presumably they've got Howell's DNA. We know they have a sample of the killer's DNA from Johnia Berry's apartment. Eight months later they would have made a match.

WVLT-TV Donates $5,000 to Reward Fund

WVLT-TV in Knoxville has donated $5,000 to the reward fund for bringing Johnia's killer to justice.

Many thanks to WVLT-TV for their generous donation.

Tears Fall Down

Now I see the time we had before
is just a passing moment that we can't share anymore.
And I've learned that written words are not the same
as when you take the time to say it
and let the clouds release the rain.
And I wish my dreams alone could bring back my old friend.
Yesterday's just something I can't mend.
And I broke down for my lost brother and I've died for mama, too.
Now my tears fall down for you. For you.
And I say one thing each day before I lay me down.
I thank God for your sweet smile although you're not around.
And I can't overcome your memory in my mind.
It's a bridge I'll never cross until the end of time.
And I wish my dreams alone would bring back my old friend.
But, yesterday's just something I can't mend.
Now my tears fall down for you. For you. You.

- Hootie and the Blowfish

Johnia's Mother on CNN Tuesday Night, Brother on 93.1 Wednesday Morning

Joan Berry will be on Nancy Grace's show on CNN Headline News tonight at 8:00 PM Eastern.

The Point 93.1 FM will air its interview with Kelly Burke Wednesday morning between 7:00 and 8:00.

LATER: Transcript of the CNN show (first half is the Teresa Halbach case, second half is the Johnia Berry case)

One Year Later...

On December 6, 2004, Johnia was taken from this earth when an intruder stabbed her to death in her Knoxville apartment. Twelve months later, the search for her killer goes on and our family continues to do everything in our power to keep Johnia's case and memory alive. So, on the one year mark, we would like to say a couple of things:

First off, the $10,000 reward has been increased to $37,000. This was made possible by the generosity of family members and extremely gracious friends. The main goal has always been finding the killer, bringing him to justice and seeing that Johnia's death not go unsolved. It's with this purpose, and this purpose alone, that we have sought to increase the reward.

Secondly, we would like to offer heartfelt thanks to everyone who has offered their prayers, sympathy and well wishes during this excruciatingly difficult time. A simple gesture like "you and your family our in our prayers" does offer comfort. For this we are grateful.

Next, we would like to extend our deepest appreciation for everyone who has volunteered their time and effort in assisting us in keeping Johnia's case, and name, in the public eye. Over the course of a few months, our family has handed out thousands of reward fliers. This would have been nearly impossible without the help of our family members and caring friends who gave what you can never get back -- time. Thank you!

We also extend a special thank you to Les Jones, Mark Young and everyone else who has made this site possible. With so much going on this past year, creating an informative web site is no small task. It's always encouraging to see folks with the know-how step up and offer their services -- for free. Also, on this note, the folks from Lamar Advertising have supplied space for Johnia's billboard on I-40. Again, with no charge.

Also, for the friends and other family members who have contributed to the reward fund, thank you. The initial $10,000 reward was made up of funds from friends of our family and a contribution from the Carol Sund Carrington Foundation. Feeling that a little more money might make the difference, the same friends who intially contributed have joined our family in raising the reward to a total of $37,000. Sheriff Hutchinson has asked the governor to add $10,000 to the fund, but since our family had no confirmation of the governor's decision this afternoon, we have decided to include this amount in the $37,000 reward. If the state does not come through, our family will maintain the $37,000 amount.

Lastly, we would very much like to thank all of the detectives at the Knox County Sheriff's Department. They have worked many long hours in search of Johnia's killer and we know that they will continue their quest. These men and women are dedicated to solving Johnia's case and have treated our family with respect and kindness. We hope they accept our sincere gratitude.

This is a very difficult time for our family and friends who were touched by Johnia's incredible spirit and have been greatly afflicted by her untimely loss. And though she is gone, she is always with us.

Mike, Joan, Tim and Kelly

Sheriff's Office Releases Photos of CD, CD Case from Crime Scene

From the Knox Sheriff's Office:

The Knox County Sheriff’s Office is requesting the public’s help in identifying some stolen items. The items include a black CD case with several CDs in it. One CD is by the group NSYNC with the initials “M” “L” on it.

The CD case and CDs didn't belong to Johnia or her roommate, but were found scattered across the living room. A car stereo was found on the back steps where the killer escaped. The CD is NSYNC's "No Strings Attached."



Click the CD photo to enlarge. ML could be the killer's initials, or it could be the initials of someone he stole it from. If that's the case, if that person came forward and gave details of the theft from their car, home (or locker?) that could be a clue.

Johnia Hope Berry Memorial Scholarship

Johnia majored in criminal justice and criminology with a minor in psychology. Throughout her undergraduate career, she had worked at the ETSU Child Study Center. She was supposed to have begun graduate studies in psychology at the University of Tennessee with hopes of a career in child psychology.

Alec Streeter, a long-time friend, stated, "Her name must not be forgotten because of the enduring impact she would have made." As a result, a scholarship has been created in Johnia's name for any individual who encompasses her dedication in bettering the lives of children. "Johnia's work is not complete, but this scholarship will impact the lives of children for generations to come, the way Johnia intended," Streeter said.

Friends and family of Johnia have set up the Johnia Hope Berry Scholarship in Psychology Fund in her memory to support students interested in pursuing the study of child psychology. Contributions to the fund can be made in care of the Johnia Hope Berry Memorial Scholarship, ETSU University Advancement, Box 70721, Johnson City, TN 37614. For more information contact Tisha Harrison at (423) 439-4242.

To donate online: CLICK HERE, login as "guest" to retrieve the form and type Johnia Hope Berry in the "other" field.

Johnia's Mother Joan Berry in the Media This Week

Niki Carey interviewed Johnia's mother Joan Berry this week. The tape was broadcast Sunday morning on Knoxville radio stations B97.5, 94.3, and 103.5.

Joan will be in Johnson City early this week on WJHL-TV, WCYB-TV, and will speak to the Johnson City Press and Bristol Herald-Courier.

Afterwards she will speak to WATE-TV in Knoxville. WBIR-TV will have an update on the story 4:00 Tuesday.

The Berry family would like to thank Lamar Outdoor Advertising for donating billboard space.

Johnia's Brother Scheduled for Star 102.1 8:00 Tuesday Morning

Johnia's brother Kelly Burke is scheduled to appear at 8:00 AM Tuesday, December 6 on Star 102.1 FM in Knoxville. December 6 is the one year anniversary of Johnia's death.

Thanks to Star 102.1's Frank Murphy for arranging the interview.