Aaron Jeremiah Massengill, a 28-year-old white man from Tazewell, Tennessee, disappeared on February 16, 2021 after last being seen driving his pickup truck. His body was found on February 22, 2021 along Ferguson Ridge Road in Tazewell. An autopsy confirmed he died of a gunshot wound and the case was treated as a homicide.

Investigators from the Tazewell Police Department, the Claiborne County Sheriff’s Office and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation developed suspects and arrested three people in Sullivan County: Patrick Andrew Smith, Courtney L. Gilpin, and Jimmy Lee Riffe. According to the investigation, Gilpin allegedly lured Massengill by asking for a ride; the three planned to rob him of his truck, money and belongings. The encounter turned violent when Massengill fought back, was struck in the head with a cylindrical object, restrained in a chokehold, and then shot in the chest.

All three were indicted on charges including murder and aggravated robbery and later entered guilty pleas for their roles in Massengill’s death. The case closed with prison sentences for each defendant. If anyone knew Aaron, saw him on February 16, 2021, or has information about his disappearance and murder, please come forward.