In the early morning hours of February 8, 1990, a day that marked the tenth anniversary of his appointment as dean, Dr. Hyram Kitchen, a 57-year-old male, was brutally murdered in the driveway of his North Knox County, Tennessee, home. The dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Tennessee, Kitchen was a distinguished and pioneering figure in his field, known for his innovative and sometimes demanding nature.
He was ambushed as he was leaving for a breakfast meeting with colleagues, a routine start to a day that ended in a shocking act of violence that remains unsolved.
At approximately 6:45 a.m., Kitchen's wife, Yvonne, was startled by the sound of gunshots and promptly called 911. Responding officers discovered a grim scene. Dr. Kitchen was found lying in his driveway, the victim of multiple gunshot wounds. His car, with the engine still running, was parked near the front gate of their secluded property on Northboro Road. It appeared he had gotten out of his vehicle, possibly to open the gate or confront someone, when he was attacked. Evidence suggests he attempted to flee his assailant, as his body was found about 100 feet from his car.
Investigators determined that Dr. Kitchen had been shot nine times with a. 22 caliber weapon. The nature of the attack, which included shots to his hand in a defensive posture, chest, and two final shots to the head, led detectives to believe it was a 'crime of passion' and a deliberate execution. The killer was clearly determined that he would not survive. Neighbors reported hearing the gunshots and some even overheard what sounded like two voices arguing that morning, but no one saw the perpetrator or a vehicle fleeing the scene.
The murder of such a high-profile and respected member of the community sent shockwaves through Knoxville and the University of Tennessee. Despite an intensive investigation and numerous interviews, law enforcement officials were unable to establish a clear motive or identify any solid leads. Theories ranged from a disgruntled colleague to a personal vendetta, with investigators convinced the act was not random and was likely carried out by someone known to Kitchen or someone hired by a person close to him. The case even garnered national attention, with the television show 'Unsolved Mysteries' expressing interest in featuring the story. However, decades later, the murder of Dr. Hyram Kitchen remains a cold case, with no arrests ever made and no suspects publicly named. The identity of the person or persons responsible for his death is still unknown.
