Firefighters with the Memphis Fire Department responded to a grass fire on what
was then YMV Road, north of Fields Road and near Hicky Street in southwest
Memphis. It was about 8 p.m. on October 16, 1974 — almost 47 years ago. As they
worked to put out the fire they discovered a human body beneath a pile of burning
debris.
The Memphis Police Department responded to a call from the Fire Department at
8:40 that night. The body later was identified as that of Gloria P. Johnson. The 19-
year-old woman had been reported missing 10 days earlier. Cause of death was by
multiple stab wounds, the Shelby County Medical Examiner ruled. She may have
been killed and her body dumped in the field.
The Memphis Police Department’s Cold Case Unit is actively investigating this
unsolved homicide case and is asking for the public’s help. The family has posted a
new $28,000 extra award with CrimeStoppers in the case, making a total of $30,000
the amount available to someone who provides information that helps police make an
arrest.
Anyone with information — it might be a witness from 1974 or someone who has
heard information on this crime since then — is urged to contact CrimeStoppers,
(901) 528-CASH, or the MPD Homicide Unit. A call to CrimeStoppers is always
anonymous and callers will be given a secret code.