2009 Knoxville murder of woman found dead in her car remains unsolved

Updated: Feb 8, 2024 / 04:55 PM CST

Gina Thacker (Knoxville Police Department)

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Knoxville police are still hopeful that new information could help detectives close in the unsolved murder case of a woman who was found dead in her car 15 years ago.

On February 8, 2009, investigators found 23-year-old Gina Thacker shot dead in her car at an apartment complex on Valley View Drive in North Knoxville. Knoxville Police said she had no known connections to the apartment complex where she was found.

Investigators determined that on the night of her murder, Thacker left Spicy’s, now the Wild Boar Tavern, off of Emory Road around 2 a.m., Knoxville Police said. According to KPD, her body was found two hours later.

A 2020 release from Knoxville Police said that the evidence at the scene suggests that there was likely a robbery. A green purse strap was found in the parking lot just outside of Thacker’s driver’s side door, which police say points to a struggle of some kind.

Investigators said there may have been someone with Thacker. The passenger seat in the car was reclined, and the department shared that they also found drug paraphernalia during their investigation.

Investigators searched the area, including dumpsters and the woods, but never found Thacker’s phone, purse, or personal effects.

Little evidence was found at the scene. Knoxville Police released that there were no cameras at the complex, no witnesses came forward, and only a few fingerprints were found in the car. All of those fingerprints belonged either to Thacker or first responders.

While Knoxville Police said there have not been any significant developments in the Thacker’s case, detectives are still looking for more information.

“Unfortunately, there isn’t anything new to report on that case, or any major developments. The case remains open and unsolved, and detectives are seeking any information whatsoever that could assist in that investigation. ” KPD spokesperson Scott Erland said.

Erland shared that tipsters can contact the East Tennessee Crime Stoppers through their hotline or call the Violent Crime and Homicide Unit at 865-215-7317.