Tyler Miller, a 35-year-old White man from Ooltewah, Tennessee, was a husband, a father to three children, and worked as a fabricator for a local company. His wife, Samantha, later wrote that his death left a tremendous void in their lives, describing him as a son, brother, and uncle who was a friend to many.
On the evening of Monday, January 12, 2026, Miller went to the Aloft Hotel near Hamilton Place in Chattanooga.
The following afternoon, on January 13, police were called to the hotel, where they found Miller deceased on the floor of a room. He had a gunshot wound to his head and, based on evidence at the scene, had been dead for several hours. Investigators noted that his wallet, cell phone, and keys were missing, and no firearm or spent shell casings were found in the room.
The investigation quickly focused on 42-year-old Rachel Perry-Mellen, also known as Rachel Perry, who had rented the room. According to a police affidavit, hotel records and surveillance video showed Perry entering the room alone around 6 p.m. on Monday. Miller was seen arriving later, putting his phone and keys into his pockets before knocking and going inside. Just a few minutes later, Perry was recorded leaving the room alone. She was wearing different shoes and was no longer wearing her outer jacket. Investigators noted she appeared nervous as she exited the hotel swiftly, carrying a large handbag, and drove away in a black Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Police obtained a search warrant for Perry's home, where they detained her later that same Tuesday. At the residence, they found the Jeep and multiple firearms. During an interview, police said Perry offered no explanation for shooting Miller or for taking his belongings and leaving without calling for help.
Perry was arrested and initially charged with second-degree murder, theft of property, tampering with evidence, and unlawful possession of a firearm. In April 2026, a grand jury indicted her on an upgraded charge of first-degree premeditated murder. As of August 2026, the case was pending trial with scheduled court appearances.
