On a cold February evening in Nashville, 60-year-old James L. Springer Jr. left home to buy a sandwich for a family member and never returned. His wife reported him missing around midnight on February 17, 2021. The next morning a walker found his body on the side of West Hamilton Road; he had suffered fatal head trauma and was later confirmed to have been shot.

Investigators identified a person of interest, 42-year-old stepson Charles Edward Sykes, who was seen with Springer the night he disappeared as they drove from Springer’s home to the sandwich shop. Springer’s 2017 blue Nissan Rogue SUV was recovered days later, burned and nearly unrecognizable in a North Nashville alley. Springer was a retired Metro Government employee, a business owner and an active member of his church; his death grieving the community.

Police publicly sought Sykes for questioning and Springer’s wife made public pleas while remaining in contact with investigators, but no arrests, charges or convictions have been announced and the case remains unsolved. Did anyone in the Nashville area see Springer’s SUV or the two men together that night?