In the quiet town of Townsend, Tennessee, the life of Melinda Howes Jacobs, a 59-year-old Caucasian woman, came to a tragic end on May 12, 2018. A well-respected attorney specializing in special education and disability law, Melinda was known for her generosity and 'down to Earth' personality. Her career was marked by a dedication to helping others, working in government, private publishing, and eventually opening her own law office to represent school districts in matters related to state and
federal disability laws.
The circumstances of her death were discovered when law enforcement responded to a welfare check at her home on Kelly Ridge Road. Reports had indicated a possible armed individual inside the residence. As deputies approached, a single gunshot was heard from within the house. After attempts to make contact with anyone inside were unsuccessful, officers entered the home.
Inside, they found both Melinda and her husband, Kenneth Allan Jacobs, deceased. Kenneth, a former director of the University of Tennessee's School of Music's composition program, was 69 years old. The Blount County Sheriff's Office investigated the scene and determined that the deaths were the result of a murder-suicide. Autopsy results later confirmed this finding. The investigation concluded that Kenneth Jacobs was the sole suspect in his wife's death, and therefore no arrests were made.
Melinda was remembered by those who knew her as a lover of horses and animals who had enhanced the lives of many through her work and public speaking. She was a sought-after speaker, known for making complex legal information accessible and understandable. Her death left a void in the community and the field of special education law, a testament to the impact she had on those she served.
