In the quiet town of Smyrna, Tennessee, the life of 40-year-old Caucasian male, Andrew James Geerts, was tragically cut short on February 29, 2020. Geerts was discovered deceased in his home on Bridgewater Drive alongside his fiancée, 43-year-old Melissa Nale Backer. The grim discovery was made after police were dispatched to the residence, where they found both victims had sustained multiple gunshot wounds. The investigation quickly determined that their deaths were the result of a double homicide that occurred during what authorities believe was a robbery gone wrong.
The Smyrna Police Department's investigation into the brutal slayings led to a break in the case on March 5, 2020, when they received crucial information that was verified through multiple sources. This information led to the identification and subsequent detention of four individuals in connection with the murders. Following interviews where all four suspects reportedly gave statements about their involvement, arrests were made on March 6. The individuals taken into custody included one adult, 19-year-old Chazz Eckford, and three juveniles. All four were charged with First Degree Murder, Especially Aggravated Robbery, and Aggravated Burglary.
The legal proceedings that followed have been a source of frustration for the families of the victims. The main suspect, who was 16 years old at the time of the crime, was tried as an adult. Despite admitting to being the shooter, he was found not guilty on eight murder charges. He was, however, convicted of aggravated robbery and aggravated burglary. The trials for the other defendants were still pending, leaving the families of Andrew Geerts and Melissa Nale Backer in a prolonged state of seeking justice and closure. The community was asked to assist in the investigation by providing any information or residential camera footage that might be relevant to the case. Andrew Geerts was remembered by his loved ones as a father of two sons who had a passion for writing songs, fishing, and helping others.
