14:33 pm TBI offers $1,000 reward in double murder mystery
Local and state law enforcement officers are continuing their investigation into a double homicide reported Tuesday morning in the Doe Valley community of Johnson County.
Photo Contributed - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest of the person or persons responsible for the deaths of a Johnson County couple. Billie Hayworth, 23, and Billy Payne Jr., 36, were found dead with gunshot wounds to the head on Tuesday morning at their Doe Valley home. Their eight-month-old child was found uninjured in his mother’s arms.
On Thursday, Kristin Helm of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said the agency is now offering a reward for information leading to an arrest of the person or persons responsible for the shooting deaths of the Johnson County couple earlier this week.
The Johnson County Sheriff’s Department was dispatched to 128 James Davis Lane about 10:40 a.m. Tuesday, where they found the bodies of two individuals and an eight-month-old child, who was found alive in his mother’s arms.
Sheriff’s investigators said Billy Payne Jr., 36, suffered from a gunshot wound to the head and a cut throat. He was found in his bedroom. The second individual, Billie Hayworth, 23, was also found with a gunshot wound to the head. She was holding the child and was located in the baby’s room.
The child has been evaluated and is being taken care of by family.
The Sheriff’s Department is being assisted by the TBI. Since Tuesday morning, investigators have been going door to door to speak to residents. They have also spoken to friends and family members. Investigators also continue to search for clues at the murder scene, which is located about two miles outside of Mountain City off Highway 67.
Helm said the couple lived in the home with Payne’s father, who left for work Tuesday at approximately 5:30 a.m. He told investigators everything was fine when he left.
The Paynes had collected mail that was sent to their address for another individual. He stopped by Tuesday morning to retrieve his mail and discovered the bodies. He then called 911, resulting in the investigation.
Sheriff Mike Reece said there are currently no suspects and no weapons have been located. Investigators have also discovered no forced entry into the home and it did not appear there was a struggle.
The bodies were taken Tuesday afternoon to East Tennessee State University’s James H. Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City for autopsies.
The TBI is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the case. Anyone with information about the murders is urged to call the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND or the Johnson County Sheriff’s Department at 727-7761.
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