Robin Ballard says she is “almost out of hope” more than three decades after her brother was murdered near the tennis courts at Cal Johnson Recreation Center in Knoxville in early September 1991. Dennis Ballard, a U.S. Army veteran, was 27 when he was found with a fatal gunshot wound to the head, and no one has ever been arrested. The family says crucial evidence was lost or misplaced years ago, leaving them stuck in a long wait for answers that have never arrived.
"They had one bullet casing. They've lost the evidence, the only evidence they had. They've lost it. I'm just almost out.... out of hope," Robin told WATE. She said she thinks about Dennis every day and turned to psychiatrists and therapists after his death. The family also says their mother now suffers from dementia, which adds painful urgency to their search for truth and some measure of closure.
Body Found Near Cal Johnson Recreation Center
According to city records from the City of Knoxville, Ballard's body was discovered near the tennis courts at Cal Johnson Recreation Center, a city-run park and community center in East Knoxville. The facility's city page notes the recreation center and its outdoor courts. Ballard is also remembered on the Tennessee District Attorneys General Conference memorial page, which lists his service in the U.S. Army.
Investigative Details And Unrecovered Evidence
Knoxville Police investigators have said they believe Ballard was shot by someone who knew him, and that multiple shell casings and alcohol containers were found at the scene. An autopsy later found cocaine in Ballard's bloodstream, and police say his car was located about a week later in the Austin Homes community, but these leads have not resulted in any arrests. Those details and the department's description of the investigation were reported by WATE.
How To Help
Anyone with information is asked to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers. Tips can be submitted by phone at 865-215-7165, online through their tip portal, or via the P3 Tips mobile app. Crime Stoppers says tipsters can remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward if their information leads to an arrest. The Knoxville Police Department Homicide and Violent Crimes Units maintain cold-case efforts and work with Crime Stoppers when tips come in.
Ballard's family says they will keep pushing for answers and hopes someone with information will finally speak up. Investigators have not named suspects or filed charges in the killing, and officials say even a small tip could make a critical difference in moving the case forward.
