In the summer of 1976, the life of Robert Charles 'Gus' Gossert, a 33-year-old male radio DJ, came to an abrupt and violent end in Knoxville, Tennessee. On August 10th of that year, his body was discovered in his Chevrolet Vega, parked by a cattle gate on the then-remote Watt Road in West Knox County. He had been shot twice in the right side of the head with a. 38 caliber pistol.
Investigators believe he had been deceased for at least a day before being found, with the car windows down, suggesting he was there to meet someone. The scene suggested he was taken by surprise, with no signs of a struggle. It appeared as though the shooter had been sitting in the passenger seat.
Gossert, originally from Pennsylvania, had built a notable career in radio, even working in New York City before returning to Knoxville. He was known for his work as a DJ and his involvement in the music scene, even being credited with coining the phrase “Doo Wop”. However, his life also had a darker, more controversial side. He was involved in drug dealing and had been convicted on drug charges in 1973, for which he served time in a federal prison. After his release, he moved back to the Knoxville area and was working part-time for WOKI in Oak Ridge at the time of his death.
The investigation into Gossert's murder is one of the oldest unsolved homicide cases in Knox County. Early in the investigation, authorities did identify a suspect, but this individual was later ruled out. Despite the passage of decades, no one has ever been charged with his murder. The Knox County Sheriff's Office Cold Case Unit has since reopened the case, re-examining files, re-interviewing witnesses, and applying modern technology to old evidence. However, the identity of the person who shot Gus Gossert remains a mystery, leaving his case officially unsolved.
