The six-year-old cold case of Cheyenne Shropshire, a 22-year-old woman whose life was cut tragically short, remains unsolved. However, the Blount County Sheriff's Office is intensifying efforts to crack the case by increasing the reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. Sheriff James Lee Berrong confirmed that the bounty now stands at $5,000, according to details released on Monday.
The case, which began with Shropshire's disappearance in September 2018, took a grim turn when her remains were discovered in March 2020 in a field along Old Middlesettlements Road. The forensic experts at Knox County Regional Forensic Center determined her death to be a homicide, according to a WVLT report. Shropshire, who was last seen near a business on Alcoa Highway, had a child who, along with other family members, continues to seek answers and justice.
Last year, the sheriff's office offered a $4,000 reward, which failed to bring forth information that could lead investigators to the responsible individual. This year, the decision was made to increase the reward with the hope of incentivizing someone to come forward with the truth. "We want to solve this case and get justice for Cheyenne," Sheriff Berrong said in a statement obtained by WATE. "
The sheriff's office continues to pursue all leads, though none have yet resulted in an arrest. They urge anyone with potentially critical information to make contact. Details of how to relay information were shared in a post by BCSO on social media, and they can also be communicated directly to Sgt. Joe McCarter at 865-273-5001. Additionally, tips can be submitted anonymously via a 24-hour Crime Hotline, or by texting 274637 with the starting keyword "BCSOTN," as noted by WBIR.
