207 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Melissa J. Burgess-Smith

Death by Force
Case Description
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Melissa J. Burgess-Smith, a 43-year-old woman from Dandridge, TN, tragically lost her life on December 24, 2021. She was found shot to death in her home along with her father, Edward W. Atkins, 70, in what was later declared a double homicide. The Sevier County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation have been investigating the case, but no suspects have been identified so far.

The investigation revealed that Melissa was shot twice - once in the mid-back and once in the ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (3)
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  • The Mountain Press: SCSO, TBI investigate father and daughter found dead from gunshot wounds
  • https://www.wvlt.tv: SCSO: Father, daughter found dead in home on Christmas Eve
    •     ...View 1 additional sources
    Victim Details

    Melissa J. Burgess-Smith

    Female

    White / Caucasian

    Dandridge

    TN

    2021-12-24

    43

    Melissa

    J. Burgess-Smith

    11/29/2025

    Forum Posts (1)
    It’s so hard to make sense of Melissa and Edward’s tragic deaths, especially with so few leads c... ...Read More
    02/21/2024
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